In a gritty NBA Cup matchup on Friday night, the Detroit Pistons held off the Toronto Raptors, securing a 99-95 victory behind a clutch performance from Malik Beasley.
The veteran guard scored seven of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, helping Detroit seal the win despite struggling from beyond the arc for much of the game. With the win, the Pistons improved to 2-0 in NBA Cup play, following an overtime triumph over Miami earlier this week, signaling a strong start to their tournament campaign.
Cade Cunningham, though not at his most efficient, still contributed significantly, finishing with 15 points and 10 assists. The Pistons’ young star had an up-and-down shooting night, going 4-for-18 through three quarters, but he found his rhythm in the clutch, shooting 2-for-3 in the fourth quarter, including one of his two 3-pointers. His ability to facilitate Detroit’s offense in key moments was a crucial factor in the win. Jaden Ivey added 14 points, while Jalen Duren contributed 12 points and nine rebounds. Rookie Ron Holland also had a solid game, scoring 10 points and grabbing eight rebounds, though he struggled with his outside shooting, missing all six of his 3-point attempts.
The Pistons’ offense, however, was far from efficient. They finished the game shooting just 8-for-38 from three-point range, a low percentage that reflected the struggles both teams had from deep. Toronto, too, was ineffective from beyond the arc, shooting 8-for-31 from 3-point range, continuing their season-long issues with perimeter shooting. Despite the shooting woes, Detroit’s defense and timely offense down the stretch were enough to push them to victory.
For Toronto, Jakob Poeltl had a historic performance in a losing effort, scoring a season-high 25 points and matching his career-high with 19 rebounds. Poeltl’s presence in the paint kept the Raptors competitive, especially as they battled through their struggles on offense. However, his efforts weren’t enough to overcome the Pistons’ late-game surge, and Toronto dropped their sixth consecutive game, further deepening the team’s early-season woes.
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RJ Barrett, who has been one of the more consistent performers for Toronto this season, added 22 points. Despite his scoring output, the Raptors couldn’t find the necessary offensive rhythm to match Detroit’s resilience. Gradey Dick, another young talent for Toronto, had a rough night shooting, finishing just 1-for-10 from beyond the arc and contributing 16 points overall. Dick’s inability to convert from distance, especially in the final moments, proved costly for the Raptors.
The key moment of the game came in the closing 21 seconds when Gradey Dick missed two critical three-point attempts. The first would have given Toronto a one-point lead, while the second would have tied the game. Both misses encapsulated Toronto’s struggles with execution in clutch moments, a theme that has plagued them during their current losing streak. The inability to capitalize on these opportunities ultimately sealed the Raptors’ fate, sending them to a 10th loss in their last 11 games.
Detroit’s defense played a pivotal role in their victory, particularly in the fourth quarter when they limited Toronto’s opportunities to tie or take the lead. The Pistons were able to clamp down on the Raptors’ perimeter shooters, forcing tough shots and capitalizing on missed opportunities. This defensive effort, combined with timely offense from Beasley and Cunningham, was enough to secure the win.
One of the key takeaways from this game for Detroit is their ability to win despite struggling from three-point range. The Pistons’ 8-for-38 shooting from beyond the arc was abysmal, yet they found other ways to score, particularly through their rebounding and defense. Detroit has shown resilience in their two NBA Cup wins, and while their shooting woes remain a concern, their overall team play is encouraging.
For Toronto, the frustration continues to mount as the Raptors now sit at 0-8 when trailing at halftime this season. This trend has been a key factor in their underperformance, as they have repeatedly failed to rally in the second half. The Raptors’ lack of consistency, particularly in terms of defense and shooting, has put them in a difficult position early in the season. Their inability to close out games, highlighted by missed opportunities in the final minutes, is a major point of concern moving forward.
The Raptors’ defensive lapses were evident once again, as they allowed Detroit to capitalize on open shots, particularly in the paint. Toronto’s defense has been inconsistent, and while Poeltl has been a strong anchor in the middle, the team as a whole has struggled to contain opposing offenses. Until the Raptors can tighten up their defense and become more reliable in the second half, their struggles are likely to continue.
Looking ahead, the Raptors will travel to Boston on Saturday for another tough matchup, hoping to snap their losing streak. For Detroit, they will face the Washington Wizards on Sunday, looking to build on their strong start in NBA Cup play and extend their winning streak. The Pistons will need to clean up their shooting but can take confidence in their ability to execute down the stretch and win games in tight situations.
The Pistons’ victory on Friday night showed that despite shooting woes, they can still find ways to win when it counts. The contributions from Beasley, Cunningham, and the team’s defense were enough to hold off Toronto in a game where neither team was able to find consistent offensive rhythm. For the Raptors, the loss is another tough blow to a season that has already seen its fair share of struggles. As both teams move forward, the Pistons will look to keep building momentum in the NBA Cup, while the Raptors will need to regroup and focus on finding a way to turn their season around.
