Detroit @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 17, 2019 ) Toronto 107, Detroit 110

The defending champion Toronto Raptors are off to another hot start with Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam leading the way. The Raptors will try to make it four wins in five games to begin the season when they host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

Lowry is on his third running mate in as many seasons following the departures of DeMar DeRozan and Kawhi Leonard but has yet to see a drop in production and delivered 26 points in Monday's 104-95 home victory over the Orlando Magic. Siakam is stepping up to fill the role vacated by Leonard's departure over the summer and scored 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting in Monday's victory - the third time in four contests that he broke the 20-point plateau. The Pistons narrowly avoided a third consecutive loss when they held off the Indiana Pacers for a 96-94 home victory on Monday. "(Indiana coach) Nate (McMillan's) teams are going to be competitive, physical, and I that’s one thing I thought we did. Defensively, we met the challenge," Detroit coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "That was a gut check."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, TSN 3/5 (Toronto)

ABOUT THE PISTONS (2-2): Detroit has yet to see All-Star forward Blake Griffin (leg) this season and is not expecting him back before next month and starting point guard Reggie Jackson (back) sat out the last two games, giving other players the opportunity to step up. Former MVP Derrick Rose is averaging 21.5 points in 26.3 minutes off the bench and made up for a tough shooting night on Monday by making the go-ahead layup in the final minute. "We trust Derrick," shooting guard Luke Kennard told reporters. "He's become one of our leaders. Down the stretch, he's been in situations like that before and he knows how to take over a game. We trust him in any situation, and we believe he'll do what it takes to win."

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (3-1): Toronto is looking for more players to step into staring roles and third-year small forward OG Anunoby is making his mark on the defensive end in the early going. The 22-year-old blocked four shots in Saturday's 108-84 victory at Chicago and collected five steals and a pair of blocks in Monday's contest. Anunoby adds another plus defender to a frontcourt that already includes veterans Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka, who combined for 20 rebounds against the Magic.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pistons C Andre Drummond recorded a double-double in each of the first four games and is averaging 21 points and 16.3 rebounds.

2. Raptors SF Patrick McCaw (knee) made his season debut on Monday and scored three points in 17 minutes.

3. Detroit took all three meetings last season, each of which were decided by five or fewer points.

PREDICTION: Raptors 103, Pistons 92