Game Preview: After Falling to Spurs, Pistons Hope to Rebound Versus Raptors

The Detroit Pistons(25-29) face the Toronto Raptors(32-22) tonight at the Air Canada Centre. The game begins at 6 PM EST and will be televised nationally on NBATV.

The Raptors have not played since Wednesday night when they lost a close game to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Point guard Tyus Jones hit a three late in the game to give the Wolves the lead and eventually the win. DeMar DeRozaon scored 30 points for Toronto on 12-25 shooting. Kyle Lowry had 20 points and dished out five assists.

The Raptors recently assigned offseason acquisition Jared Sullinger to their D-League affiliate, the Raptors 905. Sullinger is struggling to get back into game shape as he has struggled with keeping his weight down.

Toronto has dropped nine of their last thirteen games. Since the new year, they are playing below .500 ball, at 10-12.

Detroit dropped their last game to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, 103-92. Being at the game on Friday, I can tell you Detroit was never really in that game. The Pistons had seven players score in double figures, but no one scored more than 16 points. Tobias Harris(16 points) and Ish Smith(15 points) combined for 31 points off Detroit's bench. Andre Drummond had another double-double, finishing with 12 points and 15 rebounds.

The Spurs were able to hurt the Pistons on the boards, outscoring Detroit 20-7 in second chance points.

Probable Starting Lineups:

Detroit Pistons

PG: Reggie Jackson

SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

SF: Marcus Morris

PF: Jon Leuer

C: Andre Drummond

Toronto Raptors

PG: Kyle Lowry

SG: DeMar DeRozan

SF: DeMarre Carroll

PF: Pascal Siakim

C: Jonas Valanciunas

Featured image: Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press