Have Raptors Turned a Corner? Pistons Need Cade Cunningham Back Fast
Toronto Raptors vs. Detroit Pistons: Can Toronto Keep Rolling? Detroit Needs Cade Cunningham Back
On Monday night, the Toronto Raptors will face the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. This game marks a critical matchup for both teams: the Raptors, who are looking to build on their recent victories, and the Pistons, who are reeling from three consecutive losses and facing a major gap in their lineup due to the absence of Cade Cunningham.
The Raptors (4-12 SU, 11-5 ATS) will be coming off a back-to-back game against the Cleveland Cavaliers (after this article’s publication), while the Pistons (7-11 SU, 9-8-1 ATS) are hoping to bounce back after a 111-100 loss to the Orlando Magic in their last game.
Have the Raptors Turned a Corner?
After enduring a seven-game losing streak, the Toronto Raptors may have finally turned the corner. They broke the skid with a 114-106 win over the Indiana Pacers and followed it up with a 110-102 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Toronto’s performance against Minnesota was particularly impressive, as they shot 51% from the field and dominated the paint, outscoring the Timberwolves 56-40 inside.
A significant factor in Toronto’s success has been their ability to get to the free-throw line. In the second half against the Timberwolves, the Raptors attempted a season-high 30 free throws, converting at a strong rate. Despite both teams turning the ball over too often (Toronto committed 18 turnovers, while Minnesota had 17), the Raptors capitalized on Minnesota’s mistakes, scoring 10 more points off turnovers.
Several players stepped up for Toronto, with RJ Barrett leading the charge, scoring 31 points, and Scottie Barnes adding 17 points in his first game back from a right orbital fracture that had sidelined him for 11 games. Chris Boucher (22 points) and Jakob Poeltl (15 points, 12 rebounds) also contributed significantly to the win, helping Toronto secure their 20th consecutive win over Minnesota.
With this recent momentum, the Raptors will be looking to extend their winning streak and continue their strong play on both sides of the ball.
Detroit Pistons Need Cade Cunningham Back ASAP
On the flip side, the Detroit Pistons have been struggling, especially without their star player, Cade Cunningham, who missed his first game of the season due to a hip injury. Detroit’s offense has sputtered without their leader, and their recent loss to Orlando highlighted several areas where they’re lacking.
Despite shooting 46% from the field and 39.4% from three against Orlando, the Pistons were thoroughly outclassed in other areas. They were outrebounded by 10 and outscored by 12 points in the paint. Detroit also struggled to take care of the ball, committing 17 turnovers, which led to a whopping 29 points off turnovers for Orlando.
In Cunningham’s absence, Jaden Ivey stepped up with 19 points and 7 rebounds, while Malik Beasley added 18 points. However, the Pistons still came up short, falling 111-100 to Orlando and extending their losing streak to three games.
The Pistons have struggled both offensively and defensively this season. They rank 23rd in offensive rating and 22nd in defensive rating, according to Dunks and Threes. They also sit at 21st in NET rating, reflecting the challenges they face on both ends of the floor. Until Cunningham returns, Detroit’s chances of keeping pace with stronger teams, especially those with solid defenses like Toronto, will be limited.
Conclusion
With Cade Cunningham still sidelined, the Detroit Pistons will likely struggle to contain Toronto’s offensive weapons, especially if Barnes and Barrett are firing on all cylinders. Toronto’s defensive strength, combined with their recent momentum, should be enough to outlast the Pistons, especially considering Detroit’s inconsistencies on both sides of the ball.
However, Detroit’s ability to shoot the three-ball (as they did against Orlando) and the continued growth of young players like Ivey could keep this game competitive, especially if Toronto allows Detroit to hang around with turnovers and poor shot selection. Still, with Cunningham’s absence and the Raptors’ solid defensive game plan, Toronto should be able to extend their win streak.
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