The only thing more rare than NBA trades in December is Detroit Pistons wins. Now that the Toronto Raptors are shorthanded tonight thanks to a Saturday trade with the Knicks, could the Pistons end their 28-game losing streak?
The Pistons have been underdogs of less than five points just three times in this streak, along with being favored in the NBA odds three times. Tonight will be one of their best chances to win in a long while.
Let’s ponder that likelihood in our free NBA picks as we preview the Raptors vs. Pistons on December 30, with tip set for 6:00 p.m. ET.
Raptors vs Pistons odds
Raptors vs Pistons predictions
Masai Ujiri finally made a trade. Per Saturday reports, the Toronto Raptors are sending OG Anunonby and Precious Achiuwa to the Knicks. Tonight, the return does not matter, the quality of the trade does not matter. All that matters is Toronto will be without a starter and a rotation piece, both quality defenders, though neither that much of a scorer.
In the interest of total transparency, this coming best bet was originally filed before that trade was announced. And, worryingly, the trade knocked the number away from the plan. However, that may be a market overreaction.
OG Anunoby is an excellent player, make no mistake. He will be an intriguing piece for Tom Thibodeau, but he's not an offensive asset. In December, he averaged 15.3 points on 12 shots per game, shooting just 31.9% from deep despite taking six threes per game.
Frankly, losing Anunoby may help Toronto’s offense tonight. His shots will go to the likes of Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes, both better shooters and more efficient scorers. It is not like the Raptors just lose Anunoby’s 15.3 points per game. Those shots go to others, others who are more likely to convert those chances.
Against anyone else, there may be some worry right now that Toronto would mail in tonight, a psychological letdown and a natural one as the direction of the season needs to be sorted out, but no one in the NBA wants to be the team to lose to the Detroit Pistons.
Teams are dialing it up against them to avoid that, even as Detroit’s desperation makes things occasionally competitive.
Even with Anunoby, the Raptors’ defense has been a problem of late, ranking No. 23 in defensive rating this month. Their offense, though, has found success, ranking No. 13 in December. And without Anunoby, it's reasonable to think the offense may improve.
Again, he is absolutely a loss overall, but Toronto needs to find a way to avoid ignominy tonight, and that way is most likely its offense, its best half of the court all month.
Before the trade, the Raptors’ team total was 118.5. The news knocked it down to 116.5, a mistake by the market.
My best bet: Raptors team total Over 116.5 (-115 at PointsBet)
Raptors vs Pistons same-game parlay
Raptors team total Over 116.5
Raptors moneyline
Scottie Barnes Over 24.5 points
There is no day-to-day analogy for the embarrassment that will come to whatever team loses to the Pistons.
No moment of falling on your face walking down the street, no example of sending an embarrassing email to your boss, no version of spilling a drink in front of your crush. Those are one-offs with no clear precedent. Detroit has lost 28 straight games. Whatever team suffers that loss will know the precedent set by the rest of the league.
Someone will, but the Raptors offense should be enough to keep the Pistons at arm’s reach tonight. Detroit’s defense ranks No. 26 in the league in December, obviously bad. And its offense is worse, the worst in the league.
That may be the under-discussed piece of the Pistons’ struggles. Aside from Cade Cunningham and Bojan Bogdanovic, their offense has been atrocious. And even Bogdanovic is shooting a relatively pedestrian 37.1% from deep this month.
No one else on the team provides consistent buckets. No one else at all.
Given how many vague options Toronto has — Dennis Schroder, Jakob Poeltl, and even Gary Trent Jr. can always find a few scores — the Raptors should hold on tonight.
Meanwhile, today’s trade is an investment in Barnes’s future. He knows as much, and that messaging is probably being furthered internally right now.
Some of Anunoby’s usual shots will end up in Barnes’ hands, and that off-court intangible combined with that on-court emphasis should push him Over his points prop.
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Raptors vs Pistons spread and Over/Under analysis
Toronto was favored by five before the trade, a number that then fell to -3.5. It would be more if not for the Raptors being on the second night of a back-to-back.
Detroit has an undeniable rest advantage, perhaps the biggest reason to worry for Toronto, but the Pistons are also 0-7 ATS as two-bucket underdogs or short favorites during this 28-game losing streak. There have been moments when Detroit should have had an edge. Instead, it has only disappointed.
The total did not react much to the trade, sitting at 230 early Saturday and rising to 231.5 before the trade knocked it back down to 230.5.
This best bet disagrees with that move. Furthermore, if the Raptors’ legs are weary, that is more likely to show in lackluster defensive effort, perhaps propping up the dreadful Pistons’ offense for a bit.
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Raptors vs Pistons betting trend to know
The 28-game losing streak gets all the attention, but it's also worth noting the Pistons have gone 9-19 ATS in those 28 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Pistons.
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Raptors vs Pistons game info
| Location: | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI |
| Date: | Saturday, December 30, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports Detroit, TSN |
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