The Toronto Raptors look to avoid a winless three-game road trip as they conclude it Saturday night at much-improved Detroit with the Pistons opening as solid favourites on the NBA odds.

Raptors vs. Pistons NBA Betting Odds

The NBA is probably more of a players’ league than any other major North American sports league as you aren’t winning a title these days without at least one superstar on your roster and it often takes two. But coaching does matter. Just look at the Detroit Pistons.

Entering last season, ownership gave Monty Williams the biggest coaching contract in NBA history and the Pistons went out and finished with a franchise-worst mark of 14-68. So Williams was fired after just one very expensive year ($70-plus million U.S.) and replaced by former Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff, and he has Detroit in playoff contention – and already with more wins than a season ago. Bickerstaff led Cleveland to the Eastern Conference semifinals last season but was surprisingly fired, and the Pistons wasted no time in pouncing. Don’t be surprised if Detroit adds a veteran player or two ahead of the trade deadline as it is a rare team with cap space.

Saturday marks the third of four regular-season meetings between these teams with the finale on April 4 in Toronto. The Pistons lead 2-0, winning low-scoring matchups 10 days apart in November. Jaden Ivey leads Detroit in averaging 19.5 points in the series but is currently out with a broken leg. Jalen Duren is averaging 12.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in the series, while star Cade Cunningham played in one of the two. RJ Barrett is averaging 19.5 points in the two games for Toronto and Jakob Poeltl 16.5 points and 14.5 rebounds. 

The teams have split the past 10 meetings overall with Detroit 7-3 ATS. The total has landed under in three straight. 

Toronto Raptors

We projected the Dinos to lose by 13 (but cover ATS) in the second of a back-to-back in Cleveland on Thursday and they fell, 132-126, for a fourth straight loss. The Cavs were clearly a bit flat off beating Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City the night before and also rested All-Star Donovan Mitchell against Toronto – which was outscored 34-23 in the fourth quarter. Scottie Barnes dominated in the loss with 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and Chris Boucher had one of the games of his career off the bench with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Rookie Jamal Shead was 6-for-7 off the bench for 15 points but only got 15 minutes of action and none in the fourth quarter. The Raptors shot 59.6 per cent from the floor, 45.2 per cent from three and had just 13 turnovers. It was easily one of their best efforts of the season. Guards Ochai Agbaji and Bruce Brown were out with minor injuries and are day-to-day. Toronto is 1-7 ATS in its past eight in Detroit. 

Detroit Pistons

Detroit played the second of a back-to-back on Thursday as well and saw a five-game winning streak snapped in a 107-104 home defeat vs. Golden State. That streak was the team’s longest since March 2019. Malik Beasley missed a 3-pointer just before the buzzer that could have sent the game to overtime. He’s one of the better 3-point shooters in the league and is tied for the lead with eight games of at least six makes but was just 4-for-14 from deep in the loss. Like many NBA teams, the Pistons are on pace to shatter most team records when it comes to 3-point shooting. Former No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham is having an All-Star-calibre season and had 32 points, eight assists and six boards. He’s third in the NBA in assists at 9.3 per game, which would be the best by a Detroit player since Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas averaged 9.3 in 1990-91. Since Dec. 21, the Pistons are 8-2 and lead the NBA in rebounding. Forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (10.5 PPG) was a late scratch Tuesday with a minor injury. The under is 4-2 in the Pistons’ past six games. 

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Raptors vs. Pistons?

• Regular Season

Raptors Team Leaders

TOR

Points	RJ Barrett 22.68
Assists	Scottie Barnes 6.38
Rebounds	Jakob Poeltl 10.5
FG%	Ulrich Chomche 66.7
Steals	Scottie Barnes 1.46
Blocks	Jakob Poeltl 1.24

DET

Points	Cade Cunningham 24.2
Assists	Cade Cunningham 9.51
Rebounds	Jalen Duren 9.42
FG%	Alondes Williams 100
Steals	Ausar Thompson 1.59
Blocks	Isaiah Stewart 1.31

• Regular Season

Pistons Team Leaders

TOR

Points	RJ Barrett 22.68
Assists	Scottie Barnes 6.38
Rebounds	Jakob Poeltl 10.5
FG%	Ulrich Chomche 66.7
Steals	Scottie Barnes 1.46
Blocks	Jakob Poeltl 1.24

DET

Points	Cade Cunningham 24.2
Assists	Cade Cunningham 9.51
Rebounds	Jalen Duren 9.42
FG%	Alondes Williams 100
Steals	Ausar Thompson 1.59
Blocks	Isaiah Stewart 1.31

Injuries

Toronto

Bruce Brown (PG)

Ques Sat Knee - 09 / 01 / 25

Davion Mitchell (PG)

Prob Thur Calf - 09 / 01 / 25

Ochai Agbaji (SG)

Ques Mon Back - 08 / 01 / 25

Bruce Brown (PG)

Ques Fri Undisclosed - 01 / 01 / 25

Ja'Kobe Walter (SG)

Ques wed Finger - 01 / 01 / 25

RJ Barrett (SF)

Ques Mon Undisclosed - 30 / 12 / 24

Gradey Dick (SG)

Ques Wed Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 24

Davion Mitchell (PG)

Ques Tues Illness - 28 / 12 / 24

Bruno Fernando (PF)

Ques Tues Toe - 28 / 12 / 24

Ja'Kobe Walter (SG)

Ques Sun Illness - 26 / 12 / 24

Detroit

Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)

Ques Sat Back - 09 / 01 / 25

Ausar Thompson (SG)

Prob Thurs Illness - 06 / 01 / 25

Cade Cunningham (PG)

Prob Sat Knee - 04 / 01 / 25

Jaden Ivey (PG)

Out indefinitely Leg - 02 / 01 / 25

Cade Cunningham (PG)

Prob Wed Knee - 01 / 01 / 25

Simone Fontecchio (SF)

Ques Mon Personal - 01 / 01 / 25

Jalen Duren (C)

Prob Thurs Ankle - 25 / 12 / 24

Ronald Holland II (SF)

Ques Thurs Illness - 25 / 12 / 24

Jaden Ivey (PG)

Prob Sat Knee - 16 / 12 / 24

Isaiah Stewart (PF)

Prob Sat Knee - 16 / 12 / 24

Injuries

Toronto

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Bruce Brown (PG)	Ques Sat	Knee - 09 / 01 / 25	1-3	3-1	+ -
Brown is dealing with a knee injury, and it is unknown if he will return to action against the Pistons on Saturday.
Davion Mitchell (PG)	Prob Thur	Calf - 09 / 01 / 25	1-3	3-1	+ -
Mitchell is dealing with a calf injury, but he is expected to play against the Cavaliers on Thursday.
Ochai Agbaji (SG)	Ques Mon	Back - 08 / 01 / 25	1-3	3-1	+ -
Agbaji missed the last contest with a lower back contusion, and it is uncertain if he will return to action against the Warriors on Monday.
Bruce Brown (PG)	Ques Fri	Undisclosed - 01 / 01 / 25	2-5	4-3	+ -
Brown is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against Magic on Friday.
Ja'Kobe Walter (SG)	Ques wed	Finger - 01 / 01 / 25	2-5	4-3	+ -
Walter is bothered by a finger injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Nets on Wednesday.
RJ Barrett (SF)	Ques Mon	Undisclosed - 30 / 12 / 24	2-6	4-3-1	+ -
Barrett is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Bucks on Monday.
Gradey Dick (SG)	Ques Wed	Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 24	2-6	4-3-1	+ -
Dick is bothered by a hamstring injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Nets on Wednesday.
Davion Mitchell (PG)	Ques Tues	Illness - 28 / 12 / 24	2-7	5-3-1	+ -
Mitchell is ailing with an illness, and it is uncertain if he will suit up against the Celtics on Tuesday.
Bruno Fernando (PF)	Ques Tues	Toe - 28 / 12 / 24	2-7	5-3-1	+ -
Fernando is laid up with a toe injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Celtics on Tuesday.
Ja'Kobe Walter (SG)	Ques Sun	Illness - 26 / 12 / 24	2-8	6-3-1	+ -
Walter is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will play Sunday against Hawks.

Detroit

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)	Ques Sat	Back - 09 / 01 / 25	2-2	2-2	+ -
Hardaway is dealing with back tightness, and it is unknown if he will be active against the Raptors on Saturday.
Ausar Thompson (SG)	Prob Thurs	Illness - 06 / 01 / 25	3-2	3-2	+ -
Thompson is ailing with an illness, but he is expected to take the court against the Warriors on Thursday.
Cade Cunningham (PG)	Prob Sat	Knee - 04 / 01 / 25	3-3	3-3	+ -
Cunningham is nursing with left knee soreness, but he is likely to play against the Timberwolves on Saturday.
Jaden Ivey (PG)	Out indefinitely	Leg - 02 / 01 / 25	4-3	3-4	+ -
Ivey has sustained a broken fibula in his left leg, and he will miss an extended period.
Cade Cunningham (PG)	Prob Wed	Knee - 01 / 01 / 25	4-4	4-4	+ -
Cunningham is dealing with a left knee injury, and he is likely to suit up for Wednesday's game versus the Magic.
Simone Fontecchio (SF)	Ques Mon	Personal - 01 / 01 / 25	4-4	4-4	+ -
Fontecchio missed the previous two contests due to personal reasons, and it is uncertain if he will kit up against the Trail Blazers on Monday.
Jalen Duren (C)	Prob Thurs	Ankle - 25 / 12 / 24	6-4	6-4	+ -
Duren is dealing with a left ankle sprain, but he will feature in the lineup against the Kings on Thursday.
Ronald Holland II (SF)	Ques Thurs	Illness - 25 / 12 / 24	6-4	6-4	+ -
Holland is ailing with an illness, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Kings on Thursday.
Jaden Ivey (PG)	Prob Sat	Knee - 16 / 12 / 24	8-6	9-5	+ -
Ivey is dealing with a knee injury, but he is expected to play against the Suns on Saturday.
Isaiah Stewart (PF)	Prob Sat	Knee - 16 / 12 / 24	8-6	9-5	+ -
Stewart sat out the previous four matches due to a hyperextended left knee, but he is expected to dress against the Nuggets on Saturday.