The Pistons have effectively established an identity. They have embraced the city’s blue-collar mentality. This was the 11th example in the young season and the ninth consecutive win. It’s no mistake that Detroit has all the tools necessary to beat any team.

Though Barlow made a mistake on the perimeter when Ron Holland II picked off his pass, he recovered in impressive fashion. Barlow hustled after Holland and soared for a chase-down block. The initial foul call was overturned following a challenge by Sixers head coach Nick Nurse.

Javonte Green scored 21 points and Daniss Jenkins added 19 as the short-handed Detroit Pistons won their ninth straight game, 114-105 over the Philadelphia 76ers in an NBA Cup game.

The Sixers and Pistons had an old-fashioned, physical contest in Detroit on Friday night. The team that won was the team that applied just a bit more force.

The short-handed version of the Detroit Pistons hold off the Philadelphia 76ers to send them to an 0-2 NBA Cup record.

The Philadelphia 76ers will have to roll without Joel Embiid for the third game in a row on Friday night, when they face the Pistons.

Beginning the week with a batch of Sixers notes and observations, starting with the likely return of Paul George on Monday night.

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren have both missed two-straight games for the red-hot Pistons, who have won nine in a row.

Based on their two meetings with Detroit, the Sixers struggled to play up to the Piston’s defensive intensity and were outscored in the second half.