The Toronto Raptors gave little opposition to the Detroit Pistons, one of the NBA‘s worst teams this season, who won 103-87 Friday night at Little Caesars Arena.
Freshman Scottie Barnes returned to Nick Nurse’s lineup after he missed Tuesday’s game with knee pain, but it wasn’t enough for the Raptors. Gary Trent Jr. was absent with an ankle injury.
A harbinger of this disappointing result, Quebecer Khem Birch was forced to leave the game in the first quarter. The center only spent four minutes on the court, but had to leave to get X-rays on his nose.
The Raptors were outplayed the first three quarters. At halftime, the Pistons held a 13-point lead, which later grew.
Detroit (10-31) signs only a 10th gain this season, the team occupying the penultimate rank in the Eastern Conference. Five players scored over 13 points, with Trey Lyles leading the charge with 21.
On the side of the Raptors (20-19), Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam respectively amassed 24 and 23 points. Quebecer Chris Boucher spent 25 minutes on the field, collecting 19 points and six rebounds.
Toronto will face the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, who they defeated on Jan. 5. The defending champions, who were deprived of Giannis Antetokounmpo for this meeting, should this time be able to count on their star.
