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Collins still at helm as Sixers visit Detroit

Apr 15, 2013 - 2:20 PM (Sports Network) - While the future status of Philadelphia 76ers coach Doug Collins remains in limbo, the team still has to prepare for the final two games of the season, starting with Monday's meeting with the Detroit Pistons.

Rumors are beginning to swirl that this will be Collins' final season at the coaching helm of the Sixers. Collins is under contract for the 2013-14 season, but speculation on his possible departure is gaining steam.

The Sixers, who will end the season Wednesday at Indiana and had made the playoffs in each of the previous two seasons, have won two in a row since losing three straight and four of five games.

In Sunday's 91-77 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the home finale, Thaddeus Young, Spencer Hawes and Jrue Holiday all scored 14 points and Dorell Wright netted 15 for the Sixers, who scored 21 points off 18 turnovers and held All-Star Kyrie Irving to just four points on 1-of-6 shooting.

Hawes talked about the struggles of this season afterward.

"We had expectations for this season and it didn't turn out the way we wanted. It's a funny league sometimes, and we have to finish out on the road and come back strong next season," Hawes said.

At halftime, the Sixers honored members of the 1982-83 NBA championship team, including Julius Erving and Moses Malone.

Philadelphia is only 10-29 on the road, but is 4-4 away from home in the last eight since dropping 15 straight as the guest from Jan. 2-March 21.

Much like the 76ers, Detroit hopes to end the season on a high note and will bring a three-game winning streak into Monday's game.

The Pistons, who last won four in a row from Dec. 28-Jan. 4, were last in action during a 113-93 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats and received 21 points from Jonas Jerebko. Brandon Knight scored 19 points, while Will Bynum recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists.

"We have eight quarters of basketball, we want to try to win as many as we could," said Pistons coach Lawrence Frank. "We've won three of the four tonight and let's just focus and continue to try to finish the season on a positive note. We've gotten good play from different guys and we've been playing good basketball these last six games and we just want to continue and follow through with it."

Andre Drummond, who was coming off a career-high 29 points at Cleveland, posted 15 points for a Pistons team that scored 29 points off 24 Charlotte turnovers. The Pistons shot 51.8 percent and made 12-of-18 3-pointers, three of which came off the hand of Knight (3-of-3).

Drummond (ankle) is questionable for Monday's home game and Jose Calderon (triceps) is listed as day-to-day. Calderon needs one steal for 500 in his career. The Pistons, who will close the season Wednesday at Brooklyn, have won two in a row at The Palace and own a 17-23 home ledger this season.

Detroit and Philadelphia have split two games this season with both games taking place at Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers have lost four of six and 10 of the past 15 trips to The Palace.