(Associated Press)

In the 76ers’ win Saturday, everything had to go right for them to break out of their two-month slump.

It wasn’t just a matter of making shots, which they did. Or the Detroit Pistons rolling over, which they did. Looking at the box score and speaking with players from both sides revealed just how imbalanced the game was, in the Sixers’ favor.

Granted, the Pistons were on tired legs after getting thrashed a night earlier by visiting Miami. But fatigue was not the sole reason behind the Sixers’ ability to snap a 26-game losing streak that matched the NBA record. Listless play from Detroit was another.

“There was no effort tonight, absolutely no effort,” Pistons big man Greg Monroe said.

“They wanted it more than we did,” added Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey.

When Sixers reserves Casper Ware and Elliot Williams are able to run a fastbreak alley-oop connection between one another, outrunning two Pistons in the process … yeah, that’s usually a solid indicator that the other team got outhustled and outworked. When Detroit’s second-leading scorer, Brandon Jennings, gets tossed in the first quarter with two technical for arguing a lack of foul calls … yep, another good indicator for the Sixers.

Here are a few numbers from the stat sheet, which went a long way toward assuring the Sixers of their first victory in two months:

• The Sixers scored 123 points. Their season average is 99.
• They held Detroit to 98 points. Their season average is a league-worst 110.
• They shot 52.2 percent. Their season average is 43.0 percent, second-worst in the league.
• They shot 57.1 percent from 3-point range. Their season average is a league-worst 31.0 percent.
• Reserve big man Jarvis Varnado established career-highs with 9 points and 6 blocked shots.

The Sixers played their best game in 60 days, yes. They caught a break with Jennings’ meltdown, for sure. And the Pistons’ lack of effort took care of the rest, helping the Sixers stave off infamy.

“It’s not something I want to be a part of, so it’s great we got this win,” Sixers rookie Michael Carter-Williams said.

(AP)

The 76ers’ Lavoy Allen will miss the next two games, beginning Friday against visiting Detroit.

Allen has a nagging right calf injury from which the Sixers would prefer not to rush him back. The third-year forward will sit Friday vs. Detroit and Saturday against visiting New York.

“The medical staff would use really big words and give you a better answer. He’s got a sore calf and can’t play tonight,” Sixers coach Brett Brown said. “In relation to the longevity of it, it might be as severe as we first thought. Is it going to keep him out a long time? We don’t suspect that. My experience with calf injuries is not a good one. We saw many good players – Brent Barry comes to mind – where if you go too fast, and you rush it back, it can knock out another six weeks. We just want to be smart with it. Most definitely, he will be out the next two games.”

Also of note, the Sixers listed as a probable starter against the Pistons. The shooting guard got his first start since Nov. 29. Hollis Thompson had started the last 18 games at that spot.

James Anderson