Toronto Raptors vs Detroit Pistons Picks and Predictions November 15th 2024

Raptors Look to End Skid Against Pistons in NBA Cup Action

The Toronto Raptors are set to host the Detroit Pistons on Friday night in a crucial NBA Cup matchup as both teams aim to establish momentum in East Group B. For Toronto, the game presents a chance to snap a five-game losing streak, while Detroit looks to continue its strong start to the in-season tournament.

Raptors Trying to Find Their Groove

The Raptors (2-8) are coming off a disappointing 99-85 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in their NBA Cup opener on Tuesday. Despite a career-high 32 points from rookie Gradey Dick, the Raptors’ struggles were evident as they concluded a grueling five-game road trip. Defensive lapses and turnovers have plagued Toronto, with head coach Darko Rajakovic emphasizing the need for better execution.

“We were scrambling to guard very basic actions,” said center Jakob Poeltl. “We shouldn’t be making mistakes like these.”

In the loss to Milwaukee, the Raptors committed 22 turnovers that led to 28 points for the Bucks. Despite the rough outing, Rajakovic praised his team’s effort but acknowledged the need for improvement.

“I really thought we were fighting and competing for 48 minutes,” Rajakovic said. “Turnovers were a big problem for us.”

Injuries Taking a Toll on Toronto

Toronto’s injury woes have been a significant factor in its recent struggles. Key players like Scottie Barnes (right orbital fracture) and Immanuel Quickley (elbow) have missed extended time. Bruce Brown (knee) and Kelly Olynyk (back) are also sidelined, leaving the Raptors shorthanded as they try to regroup on home court.

“The guys understand the situation they’re in,” Rajakovic noted. “They are undermanned but showing a lot of togetherness. We’ve got to take one game at a time and focus on us and our development.”

Pistons Showing Promise Despite Setbacks

The Pistons (5-6) are coming off a hard-fought 127-120 overtime loss to the Bucks on Wednesday, a game in which they led by as many as 18 points. Cade Cunningham was the standout performer, logging 35 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. However, a missed opportunity at the free-throw line by rookie Ron Holland II in the final second of regulation cost Detroit a chance at a win.

Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff sees the NBA Cup as valuable preparation for his young roster, emphasizing the importance of learning to execute in pressure situations.

“Understanding possessions matter more, turnovers matter more, rebounds, execution, all those things matter more in meaningful basketball games,” Bickerstaff said.

Detroit has already exceeded expectations this season after posting a franchise-worst 14 wins last year. The team has shown resilience, driven by the development of young talents like Jalen Duren, who continues to be a force on both ends of the floor.

“It’s been super fun since the start,” Duren said. “Growing with these guys and continuing to get better has been great.”

Injury Report for Detroit

The Pistons are also dealing with their share of injuries. Key contributors like Tim Hardaway Jr. (head laceration), Jaden Ivey (toe), and Simone Fontecchio (toe) were absent against Milwaukee and remain day-to-day heading into Friday’s game.

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Head-to-Head Matchup

The Pistons won two of three games against the Raptors last season, including a dominant 113-104 victory in Detroit, where Duren posted a monster performance with 24 points and 23 rebounds. However, Toronto won the lone meeting at home and will be eager to leverage that advantage in Friday’s showdown.

Keys to the Game

• For Toronto: The Raptors need to tighten up defensively and reduce turnovers to break their losing streak. A strong performance from Pascal Siakam and Gradey Dick could be the difference, especially with key players out due to injury.
• For Detroit: The Pistons will look to build on their recent strong outings, especially if Cade Cunningham continues to excel. Limiting turnovers and maintaining focus in crunch time will be crucial if they hope to win on the road.

What’s at Stake

Both teams are trying to stay afloat in NBA Cup Group B play. A win for the Raptors would end their losing streak and build some momentum, while the Pistons are eager to bounce back from their recent overtime loss and continue their push for an improved season.

Tip-off is set for Friday night at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, where both teams will look to make a statement in this crucial NBA Cup matchup.