Detroit Pistons vs. Toronto Raptors Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
-
Charlie Grant
The honeymoon period is over for Blake Griffin and the Detroit Pistons who arrive in Toronto on Monday desperate for a win and a chance to get back into the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Pistons limp over the border with just one win in their last six games. The latest setback came on Sunday when the Charlotte Hornets dusted off Detroit 114-98 behind a 70-point, first-half outburst. Stan Van Gundy’s guys are 28-31 straight up and 26-31-2 against the spread on the season. The Pistons are 11-7-1 ATS as away underdogs and are 4-1 ATS in their last five trips to Toronto.
Friday’s overtime loss to the Milwaukee Buck was just the Raptors’ fifth home loss this season. Toronto still owns the best record in the East at 41-17 SU (32-26 ATS). The overtime game against the Bucks helped push the Raptors’ over streak to four games and their over/under season record to 31-27.
Detroit Pistons
Detroit bet on itself to make the playoffs when the team traded with the Clippers for Blake Griffin. The former All-Star power forward is averaging 20 points, 5.6 assists and 7.6 rebounds for his new team, but the Pistons are just 5-5 SU and 1-9 ATS during since he arrived in Motown. The problem for the Pistons isn’t Griffin; it’s the lack of talent that surrounds him on the roster. Detroit is still missing starting point guard Reggie Jackson, and wing players Reggie Bullock and Stanley Johnson aren’t picking up enough slack. All-Star big man Andre Drummond scored 25 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in his last game against the Raptors.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto’s season took off when Dwane Casey inserted OG Anunoby into the starting lineup. The rookie didn’t put up big numbers but he fit well as a defensive stopper and low offense usage player. The Raptors didn’t have to hide him because he was reliable from 3-point range. But he’s made just 13 of his last 59 attempts from deep over the last two months. It might be time to re-jig the starting five if Anunoby doesn’t rediscover his shooting touch.
