Quick Reaction: Raptors 108, Pistons 98

Toronto

108

Detroit

B+	P. Siakam29 MIN, 10 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 4-6 FG, 2-3 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 24 +/- Made the only shot he took in the first, a corner 3-ball. Later in the opening half, Siakam’s speed helped him convert an easy make in transition. In other words, it was a typical performance from Pascal; his energy fueled his game on both ends. And how about that gorgeous spin move late in the fourth? Siakam has a very bright future in this league.
B	O. Anunoby19 MIN, 8 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 3-6 FG, 2-4 3FG, 0-0 FT, 2 BLK, 1 TO, 6 +/- Showed off his athleticism with an acrobatic drive a few minutes into the first quarter that put Toronto up nine early. Anunoby continued his hot shooting from outside, too. Just imagine if the rook could shoot at this level in the playoffs.
A+	J. Valanciunas25 MIN, 25 PTS, 9 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 11-13 FG, 1-1 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 21 +/- His aggressiveness around the rim and great work on the glass helped JV create numerous second-chance opportunities and finish the opening quarter as the Raptors lone double-digit scorer. He had a highlight-reel posterizer near the end of the first half over Stanley Johnson that pretty much summed up his terrific performance. This may have been the big man’s best game of the season.
A-	K. Lowry26 MIN, 11 PTS, 5 REB, 9 AST, 0 STL, 4-8 FG, 3-7 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 19 +/- Struggled with his shot out of the gates but picked up his play in the second half. As he has done so often, Lowry impacted the game without having to score much, finding Valanciunas possession after possession. With his three 3-pointers on the night, Lowry now has 233 on the season.
A-	D. DeRozan28 MIN, 16 PTS, 3 REB, 7 AST, 0 STL, 6-12 FG, 2-5 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 14 +/- Was distributing early, with four assists in the first quarter. DeRozan’s improved ability as a facilitator makes him a very tough matchup even when his shot isn’t falling. His jumper did come alive as the game progressed, of course.
B	L. Brown25 MIN, 11 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 5-9 FG, 1-4 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 4 +/- Played admirably in first NBA game since March 20. Showed off his athleticism when absorbing contact on a few separate drives to the hoop in the first half.
B+	J. Poeltl23 MIN, 12 PTS, 6 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 6-7 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, -11 +/- Poeltl was nearly invisible in the first half. He made a few defensive miscues in the second quarter that helped the Pistons go on a lengthy run to increase their lead to double digits. Poeltl made up for his poor start with solid defensive plays and nice touch around the rim in the final 24 minutes.
C	D. Wright22 MIN, 4 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 2-5 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -9 +/- Great job of turning defence into offence on a fast break in the first half. Wright’s aggressiveness noticeably decreased as the game progressed.
C-	N. Powell19 MIN, 2 PTS, 1 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 1-8 FG, 0-6 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, -7 +/- Like most of the Raptors, Powell’s feel from deep was off tonight. Aside from a slick dime to Poeltl in the fourth, Powell didn’t do very much.
C-	C. Miles18 MIN, 7 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 3-10 FG, 1-7 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 +/- Just one game after erupting with five 3-pointers, the streaky Miles had an off night. Sharpshooters go through droughts often, so as long as Miles snaps out of this one before the postseason arrives, all will be forgiven.
Inc	A. McKinnie5 MIN, 2 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -11 +/- Got in for some garbage time minutes and converted a second-chance opportunity with an athletic slam.
A	Dwane Casey Credit Casey for getting his bench guys out of the game in the second quarter at the time he did, because that move completely shifted the momentum of this game. Toronto went on a 13-0 run to close out the first half following the substitutions.