Raptors win in the Motor City; defeat Pistons 103-89

The Toronto Raptors got off to a slow start in this tilt against the Detroit Pistons, scoring just 19 points in the first quarter. The Pistons held a 24-19 lead heading into the second quarter, but the Raptors rebounded and scored 30 points in the second quarter. This led to the Raptors holding a 49-43 lead at half time. The third quarter was a even affair, but Toronto was rolling in the fourth quarter, scoring 33 points, and built as much as a 21 point lead. From there Toronto didn’t look back, and continued on to the 103-89 victory over Detroit.

The Raptors have now won 14 of their last 15 games, and are currently 3-1 through the first four games of this six game road trip.

Raptors’ NBA All-Star, Kyle Lowry, was the game’s high scorer, putting up 25 points on 9 of 14 from the field. He also handed out seven assists, while collecting three rebounds and two steals.

Jonas Valanciunas looked very good on the floor, and was more than ready for the battle against the Pistons’ All-Star centre (or frontcourt player, as centres are now referred to in NBA All-Star terminology), Andre Drummond. JV filled the box score with 15 points (7 of 9 from the field), eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block.

The Raptors’ other NBA All-Star, DeMar DeRozan, made his presence felt everywhere, even if his jumpshot wasn’t falling like it has been of late. DeRozan scored 17 points (5 of 14 shooting), while adding seven rebounds, and six assists.

Cory Joseph and Terrence Ross picked up where they left off in the win over the Portland Trailblazers, continuing to be super efficient offensively, and have an impact defensively.

Ross scored 18 points, including four made 3-point field goals, on 7 of 13 shooting. He added four rebounds, two assists, and two steals to his total. Joseph poured in 15 points of his own, on 7 of 9 shooting, while hauling in four rebounds, and dishing out three assists.

Andre Drummond posted a double-double for the Pistons with 12 points and 13 rebounds. The Pistons had 5 other players who reached double digit scoring, but no Pistons player scored more than 17 points, which came from Ersan Ilyasova, who has been known to have a lot of success against Toronto in past match ups. Darrun Hillard who made an impact in the last game Pistons faced the Raptors, ended the game with a career high 13 points (on 6-12 from the field).

Up next for the Raptors, they will travel to Minnesota to face the Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns and the rest of the Timberwolves on Tuesday night, February 10th. This will mark the Raptors  last game before the schedule break for NBA All-Star Weekend festivities.

Postgame Reactions:

Dwane Casey