DETROIT _ Detroit Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy scoffs at suggestions describing games as must-win propositions.
But with this season's struggles, it's safe to say the Pistons face two such contests this week.
Phase 1 was accomplished.
The Pistons (24-28) took control late in the first half Monday's and cruised to a 113-96 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Marcus Morris scored 19 points in his third straight good scoring game, as the Pistons have quietly won six of 10 with the woeful Los Angeles Lakers visiting the Palace on Wednesday night.
Six other Pistons were in double figures, as they were able to take advantage of the absence of 76ers center Joel Embiid.
Andre Drummond was dominant with 16 points, 17 rebounds and three steals with Reggie Jackson scoring 14 points to go along with six assists.
The Pistons retain a tenuous grip on the Eastern Conference's eighth and final playoff spot.
The Pistons controlled the paint with an 19-rebound margin (60-41) to go along with 66 points in the paint.
Jahlil Okafor scored 16 points for the 76ers (18-33).
After a slow start, the 76ers hit the Pistons with a 10-0 run midway through the first quarter to take an 18-15 lead at the 3:51 mark.
After committing 21 turnovers in a 21-point loss at Indiana on Saturday night, the Pistons committed five turnovers in the first quarter.
The 76ers capitalized with six points in taking a 27-24 lead into the second quarter.
The Pistons struggles continued with the 76ers pushing the lead to five at 37-32 on an Okafor runner at the 7:12 mark.
But the Pistons closed the quarter on a 23-9 run to take a 55-46 lead into halftime.
Morris scored 12 points in the first half.
The Pistons missed Embiid, the likely rookie of the year, for the second time this season. The 7-footer remained in Philadelphia nursing a left knee bruise that has caused him to miss six straight games.
The third pick of the 2014 draft missed his first two seasons because of foot issues, which makes the caution understandable.
He does not play both games of back-to-backs, and is limited to 28 minutes per game. He is still averaging 20.2 points per game with the restrictions.
"They're missing a great player," Van Gundy said. "He's a 20-point-a-game guy who's only playing 25 minutes a game to get his 20 points. That's a high level of production in just over half the game. The guy's been tremendous. What can he not do?
"It's scary to think what he can do in this league if he can stay healthy."
