The Detroit Pistons will look to start a new winning streak on Saturday as they host the Toronto Raptors at Little Caesars Arena. After a five-game winning streak ended with a narrow 107-104 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, the Pistons aim to bounce back with a win on their home court.
On Wednesday, Detroit secured a road victory against the Brooklyn Nets but showed signs of fatigue in the first half against the Warriors. Despite nearly erasing an 18-point deficit, the Pistons fell short as Malik Beasley missed a potential game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer. Cade Cunningham led the charge with 25 of his 32 points coming after halftime. Cunningham, averaging 24.3 points and 9.3 assists, continues to be Detroit’s standout performer.
The Raptors, on the other hand, are struggling to find their footing1. Toronto put up a strong fight against Eastern Conference leaders, the Cleveland Cavaliers, before succumbing 132-126 on Thursday. Barnes delivered an impressive performance with 24 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals. Chris Boucher added 23 points and 12 rebounds off the bench. Despite leading after three quarters, the Raptors were outscored 34-23 in the fourth as they continued their losing streak.
Injuries have hampered both teams. Ochai Agbaji, who is averaging 10.8 points, missed Thursday’s game due to a hip pointer4. The Raptors have now lost four consecutive games and 15 of their last 16. This matchup marks the third out of four games in the season series, with Detroit having won the first two meetings in November.
The Pistons’ return to form will heavily rely on their ability to reduce turnovers and maintain a high level of performance throughout the game. They are determined to capitalize on their home-court advantage and move above the .500 mark. For the Raptors, the focus will be on breaking their losing streak and finding consistency, especially with ongoing injury concerns.
