Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NBA match.
The Toronto Raptors return home after five consecutive away defeats, a series that has them anchored at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. In the early hours of Saturday, they face a resilient Detroit Pistons side, who are still clinging to a play-in spot.
Toronto Raptors
Bookmakers anticipate a close match with a tense and nervous finish. This is an area where the Raptors have struggled. The Canadian team have converted just 3 out of 14 (21.4%) three-pointers in clutch situations—ranking them 25th in the league. Without injured players like Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley, the ball frequently ends up in RJ Barrett's hands during critical moments. However, the 24-year-old forward is far from a clutch maestro, with only 14.3% success from beyond the arc and shooting 5 out of 16 from the field (31.3%).
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are showing signs of life and no longer appear to be pushovers. A heroic finish by Cade Cunningham in the game against the Atlanta Hawks (122:121), where he led the winning attack and made a block in the closing moments, has inspired the team. Moreover, the Pistons now have a coach who is genuinely invested in his role. Under J.B. Bickerstaff, the Pistons defend much better, allowing 112.5 points per 100 possessions (12th in the league) compared to 118.8 (26th) last season.
Toronto Raptors vs Detroit Pistons Prediction
The Detroit Pistons consistently stay competitive, rarely losing by large margins, and the presence of veterans like Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley provides stability during tough moments. Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors look lacklustre in their offensive play, failing to score at least 110 points for four consecutive games. We favour a straightforward win for the visitors.
