Pistons vs. Raptors Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
Could this be a bit of a trap game for Toronto with a big one up next Saturday at Milwaukee in a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Finals?
It’s the first of four meetings between the Pistons and Raptors. Detroit returns to Toronto on March 14, and the Dinos visit Motown on Dec. 18 and Jan. 31. Of course, the Pistons are coached by former Raptors coach Dwane Casey.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
It might surprise NBA bettors to know that that Detroit was 3-0 against the Raptors last season – although every game was close. The one in Toronto was the first meeting and the Pistons prevailed 106-104 in a big upset. They rallied from a 19-point deficit and won on Reggie Bullock’s jumper as time expired. He’s no longer with Detroit.
Blake Griffin averaged 27.3 points and 9.0 rebounds in the three games, but the Raptors won’t have to worry about the All-Star forward this time as he has yet to play this season due to soreness in his knee and hamstring. He averaged a career-high 25.5 points overall last year. Andre Drummond put up 13.7 points and 15.3 rebounds in the games last year vs. Toronto. Drummond led the NBA in rebounding in 2018-19 and is again currently. He also leads the league in double-doubles since he entered it in 2012-13.
Kawhi Leonard played two of three vs. Detroit and averaged 29.5 points and 9.5 rebounds. Pascal Siakam 16.7 points and 6.3 rebounds.
Detroit is 6-2 against the spread in its past eight in Toronto.
Detroit Pistons
Detroit is essentially hoping to tread water while Griffin is out and has done that so far with a 2-2 record following a 96-94 win over struggling Indiana on Monday. New addition Derrick Rose gave the Pistons the lead on a layup with 28.3 seconds left. Drummond had 18 points and 18 rebounds, while Christian Wood had 19 points and 12 boards off the bench. He has been a pleasant surprise in the early going.
Starting point guard Reggie Jackson missed a second straight game with a back injury and is day-to-day. Tim Frazier has been starting and Rose picking up extra minutes off the bench. The Pistons are 3-9 ATS in their past 12 vs. the Eastern Conference.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto returned home from a two-game trip and beat Orlando 104-95 on Monday. Kyle Lowry led the team in scoring for the first time this season and had 10 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter. Siakam had 24 points and nine rebounds. Marc Gasol had his best game of the early season with 10 points and 10 rebounds and terrific defence on Magic center Nik Vucevic, who was 1-for-13 from the field.
Every player who got on the court for the Dinos scored except for Terrence Davis, who only played one minute. Patrick McCaw made his season debut off a knee issue and had three points and three rebounds in 17 minutes. Toronto is 7-2-1 ATS in its past 10 after a win.