Winless no more, Pistons romp past 76ers 94-76

[November 15, 2012]  PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Greg Monroe had 19 points, 18 rebounds and six assists to help the Detroit Pistons beat the Philadelphia 76ers 94-76 on Wednesday night for their first win of the season.

Kyle Singler scored 16 points, and Tayshaun Prince and Brandon Knight each scored 15 points for a Detroit (1-8) team off to its worst start in franchise history. Playing their seventh road game out of nine games this season, the Pistons controlled the lethargic Sixers from the opening tip.

Four Pistons starters scored in double digits and forward Jason Maxiell had eight points and 12 rebounds.

The Sixers easily played their worst game of the season, making only 25 of 84 shots, for 30 percent. Lavoy Allen led them with 14 points.

Without injured center Andrew Bynum, the Sixers continued to get dominated inside. They were outrebounded by 17 in Monday's loss to Milwaukee and got crushed on the boards 33-15 by halftime in this one. Monroe had nine at the break -- or as many as the Sixers' starting lineup combined.

Philadelphia missed 30 of 43 shots in the first half and made only 5 of 10 free throws.

The few thousand fans that showed up for a preseason atmosphere in this dreary matchup booed the Sixers off the court at the break.

Kwame Brown started at center after missing the last four games with a strained left calf, picked up two quick fouls, and played only 8 minutes.

The Pistons had plenty of room to maneuver in the paint -- Singler scored 13, Prince had 12 and Monroe 11 points in the first half.

Detroit had most of its fun in the second quarter, stretching a two-point lead into 52-34 at the break. They made only three 3-pointers all game, scoring the bulk of their points on mid-range jumpers, and easy buckets around the basket.

The Sixers again struggled with their halfcourt offense, showing little ball movement and firing up long jumpers as the shot clock ticked down. Bynum hasn't played all season because of a bone bruise and isn't expected back until at least early January. It's clear they need help in the middle because the Brown-Spencer Hawes-Thaddeus Young combination has been a bust.

The Pistons played so well they didn't even need both eyes on the ball from the free-throw line. Monroe was fouled on a drive down the line and appeared to lose a contact in the process. He touched his right eye, squinted, and buried the first one. His contact recovered and in place, he clanked the second attempt. The moment was good for a chuckle in a game that turned into a laugher.

NOTES: 76ers F Dorell Wright briefly left the game and needed eight stitches on his chin. ... Pistons coach Lawrence Frank started 0-16 with the New Jersey Nets in 2009 and was fired. ... The Pistons had never started worse than 0-7 before this season. ... On the plus side, the Sixers made only four turnovers.

[Associated Press; By DAN GELSTON]

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