The Toronto Raptors are still looking for their first road win of the season, and the 0-9 record on their travels weighs heavily as they visit the Detroit Pistons tonight.
But Detroit is on a three-game skid itself and, with Cade Cunningham listed as doubtful, my Raptors vs. Pistons predictions signal more strides forward for an improving Toronto team.
With a mix of NBA picks and betting subplots, my preview digs into this intriguing November 25 matchup.
Raptors vs Pistons prediction
My Raptors pick
Raptors +5.5 (-110 at PointsBet Canada)
My analysis
Despite last night’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, we’re starting to see the potential of a Toronto Raptors starting five centered around Scottie Barnes, R.J. Barrett, Gradey Dick, and Jakob Poeltl — with Immanuel Quickley eventually joining that core.
Though Toronto held its own in the second and third quarters in Cleveland, the Cavs’ hot shooting was ultimately too much to overcome, but there’s less chance of that happening here against a Detroit Pistons roster that’s only averaging 109.8 ppg.
Without Cade Cunningham to power the Pistons, the Raptors moneyline offers good value at plus odds, but I’m taking the extra cushion with the 5.5-point spread instead as the visitors are 3-1 ATS in their last four games.
Meanwhile, the Pistons are coming off deflating losses to the Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, and Chicago Bulls, which have taken some of the gloss off their solid start. They’re also just 3-5 at Little Caesars Arena this season.
The lack of playmaking should be a concern for the hosts. They only managed 16 assists last time out, and there’s not enough one-on-one scoring on this Detroit team to play that way.
With Toronto boasting an 11-6 ATS mark this year, despite an overall 4-13 record that doesn’t tell the full story, I expect Darko Rajakovic to lean on his high-energy bench to keep this one close.
Raptors vs Pistons same-game parlay
Raptors +5.5
Jakob Poeltl Over 10.5 rebounds
Tobias Harris Over 22.5 points + rebounds
Poeltl has always been a consistent rebounder, but he’s reached new heights this season, sitting at 11.9 rpg — sixth-most in the NBA. He’s been especially dominant over the past five games, averaging 15 boards a night.
The hot streak continued last night in Cleveland with 19 rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass. Poeltl has finished with double-digit boards in seven of his last eight outings, and he should see big minutes here against a Detroit team that ranks fourth in the league in rebounds per game (47.2).
Tobias Harris is still figuring out his role with the Pistons — and it’s shifted again without Cunningham in the starting lineup. But he’s a contender to soak up some of the vacated field goal attempts, and I’m banking on a steady scoring night to help hit the Over on this points + rebounds combo prop.
His work on the boards has largely gone under the radar, but he’s had seven or more rebounds in nine of his 13 games this month.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Raptors vs Pistons odds
Raptors vs Pistons live odds
Raptors vs Pistons opening odds
- Spread: Toronto +5 | Detroit -5
- Moneyline: Toronto +172 | Detroit -198
- Over/Under: Over 224.5 | Under 224.5
Odds courtesy of PointsBet Canada
Raptors vs Pistons spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Raptors arrive as underdogs on the second night of a back-to-back set, and they’ll need no reminders about their road record. But I have more faith in the visitors’ top-end scorers if this is tight in the fourth quarter.
- Detroit has failed to cover the spread throughout its current three-game rut, and there’s a case for Toronto payback here after the Pistons escaped with a 99-95 victory at Scotiabank Arena earlier this month.
- The Under has been the way to go with both these teams this season. It’s 7-2 in the Raptors’ last nine games and 11-7 for the Pistons this year, as well as landing in four of the teams’ past six meetings.
- With some late-game droughts, Detroit has cashed in the 4Q Under in 34 of its last 48 outings.
Raptors vs Pistons trend
The Pistons have only hit the 1H moneyline in 14 of their last 48 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Pistons.
How to watch Raptors vs Pistons
| Location: | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI |
| Date: | Monday, 11-25-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet |
Raptors vs Pistons latest injuries
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