Visiting Little Caesars Arena used to mean a home-away-from-home game for the Toronto Raptors. But not this season.
Led by Cade Cunningham, the Detroit Pistons are a .500 basketball team, while the Raptors have just eight wins this season and one win in their last 16 games overall.
But while the Raps are 5.5-point road dogs, I like one of their better players to get hot tonight, and I’ve got a player prop for him in my Raptors vs. Pistons predictions.
Here are my NBA picks for this Eastern Conference matchup set to tip off at 7:00 pm ET.
Raptors vs Pistons prediction
My Raptors pick
Immanuel Quickley Over 2.5 Threes (+125 at PointsBet Canada)
My analysis
I know this bet has burned me a couple of times lately, but I can’t stay away from it at this price. I’m a believer in Immanuel Quickley and think once this Toronto Raptors rebuild starts to turn the corner, he’s going to be a big part of it. So, once he gets rolling, watch out.
I also think he is still trying to get his rhythm back after multiple injuries have limited him to just eight games this season. In the five games since his return from an elbow injury, Quickley is averaging 16.3 points but is shooting just 29.6% from 3-point range.
That is well below his career average of 37.3%, and even farther below the 39.5%, he shot from beyond the arc last season. Luckily, I think this matchup with the Detroit Pistons can help get him back on track.
Now, the Pistons have improved defensively this season, which is part of the reason why they are 19-19 and 5.5-point home favorites in this matchup. But one area where they still struggle is the perimeter.
Detroit enters this game against Toronto, allowing the second-highest opponent 3-point shooting percentage and the sixth-most 3-point makes per game at 14.1 per contest.
Shooters shoot. And IQ is a shooter who is attempting 6.8 threes per game this season. We are going to see him return to the mean average sooner rather than later, and this matchup against the Pistons is the perfect opportunity.
At this plus money, I’m more than willing to back Quickley to drain three treys tonight. Something he’s still done twice in the last three games despite the struggles.
Raptors vs Pistons same-game parlay
Immanuel Quickley Over 2.5 Threes
Barnes Over 5.5 Assists
Cade Cunningham Under 26.5 Points
One of the reasons the Raptors extended Quickley in the offseason is because he runs the two-man game well with Scottie Barnes and here’s hoping Barnes sets up his teammate with some nice open looks in this one.
With that in mind, let’s add Barnes Over 5.5 assists to this same-game parlay. Barnes averages 6.5 assists per game this season, and we are only getting 5.5 because he’s seen a bit of a dip since the end of December but is coming off a game against the Cavs where he dished out eight dimes.
Let’s close this SGP out with Cade Cunningham Under 26.5 points. Don’t get me wrong, the Pistons star guard has been great but this number is too elevated for a guy who can be an inconsistent shooter at times. Cunningham is averaging 24.3 points per game and has played below this number in five of his last nine games.
He’s only had a point total this high once in his last 10 games, back on Jan. 3 against the Hornets. He finished that game with 18 points. And while the Raps are not great defensively, they’ve got a player who can match up well with Cunningham and held him to 15 points on 6-of-21 shooting in a matchup back on Nov. 15.
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 +6 | Detroit -6
- Moneyline: Toronto +195 | Detroit -230
- Over/Under: Over 230.5 | Under 230.5
Odds courtesy of PointsBet Canada
Raptors vs Pistons spread and Over/Under analysis
- The spread for this Eastern Conference matchup has seen some interesting movement. The Raptors opened as 6-point road underdogs but saw enough action to move the line to 4.5 before some buyback on the Pistons brought the spread back to 5.5.
- Despite early-season struggles the Raptors were a very strong bet for a while. However, they are just 2-7 ATS in their last nine games overall and have lost four straight to the Pistons going 1-3 ATS in the process.
- The total hit the board at 230.5 and bettors were quick to jump on the Under, bringing the number down to 225.5 at some sportsbooks as of Saturday afternoon.
- Generally the Raptors play like an Over team with their high-tempo and poor defense but both previous matchups against the Pistons this season fell well below this number.
Raptors vs Pistons trend
The Pistons have only hit the 1H Moneyline in 21 of their last 68 games dating back to last season for -21.50 Units and a -27% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Pistons.
How to watch Raptors vs Pistons
| Location: | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan |
| Date: | Saturday, 1-11-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN, FDSN DT, TSN |
Raptors vs Pistons latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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