LeBron James is in Philly and that's a good thing. The 76ers title hopes still ride on Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid is pushing the 76ers to let him play back-to-back games, but his teammates’ early-season approach has kept him from starting consecutive nights. After a triple-double versus Milwaukee, Embiid joked to reporters that the team should “start writing articles and put pressure on them” to make him available again. The Sixers, seeking to avoid long-term risk, rested Embiid and then lost Sunday to the Detroit Pistons. Detroit outrebounded Philadelphia 54-37, scored 24 second-chance points, and led by 21, testing a thin frontcourt by using space against Joel’s presence. LeBron James handled most center minutes, scoring 18 points while the Sixers were minus-22 in that matchup. The article notes Philadelphia was plus-49 with Embiid in the first three games and minus-25 without him. The team also played without Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker, and Tacko Fall.