Pistons-Raptors pregame notes

07:30 (ET) DET@TOR

Detroit Pistons

Lee, Saben Out G League – On Assignment
Livers, Isaiah Out G League – On Assignment
Olynyk, Kelly Out Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Sprain
Pickett, Jamorko Out G League – Two-Way
Smith, Chris Out G League – Two-Way

Toronto Raptors

Achiuwa, Precious Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Shoulder; Tendinitis
Birch, Khem Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Swelling
VanVleet, Fred Questionable Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Soreness
Watanabe, Yuta Out Injury/Illness – Left Calf; Strain

• The Toronto Raptors (7-6) host the Detroit Pistons (2-9) on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena. The Pistons swept the season-series (3-0) with Toronto last season. Gary Trent Jr. and Fred VanVleet hit backto-back 3-pointers over the final 1:10 to lift the Raptors past the 76ers, 115-109, on Thursday night. The
victory snapped a three-game winless streak for Toronto. Following Saturday’s game, the Raptors begin a
season long-tying six-game road trip (Nov. 15-26) Monday in Portland.
• Fred VanVleet led the Raptors with 32 points and seven assists in 40 minutes of action Nov. 11 at Philadelphia. VanVleet scored 30+ points for the second time this season and 12th time in his career. With Thursday’s victory, Toronto improved to 10-2 when VanVleet reaches the 30-point mark.
• After being outrebounded 24-14 on the offensive glass the previous two games (Nov. 7-10), the Raptors grabbed 16 offensive boards in Thursday’s win over Philadelphia, and outscored the Sixers 32-15 in second chance points. Toronto ranks second in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game (13.3) this season.
• Rookie Scottie Barnes finished with 13 points, a team high-tying nine rebounds and four assists in 39 minutes Nov. 11 at Philadelphia. Barnes currently leads all rookies in scoring (16.6 ppg), rebounds (8.5) and field goal percentage (.527 – min. 50 FGA). He has led the team in scoring in five of his first 11 games
played, scored 20+ points four times and earned two double-doubles. Barnes sat out two games (Nov. 1-3) with a sprained right thumb.
• Gary Trent Jr. (59) and Fred VanVleet (52) rank first and tied for second, respectively, in the NBA in deflections. Trent Jr. also ranks third in the NBA in steals per game (2.46) and has already tied his career
high with five steals three times. VanVleet has led the league in deflections per game each of the past two seasons. Toronto currently ranks second in the NBA in steals per game (10.6).
• Precious Achiuwa recorded four points and a team high-tying nine rebounds Thursday vs. the Sixers. He has now grabbed eight-or-more rebounds in six straight games (Nov. 1-11). Achiuwa is averaging a teamhigh 8.7 rebounds this season and has led the team on the glass in eight games.
• Pistons head coach Dwane Casey is Toronto’s all-time leader in coaching victories (320). He helped the Raptors increase its win total five times during his six seasons as head coach, including a franchise-record
59 victories during the 2017-18 campaign. Toronto reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 2016 and recorded three consecutive 50-win seasons under Casey’s direction (2015-18).

QUICK FACTS
The Pistons went 3-0 against Toronto in last season’s series after going 0-3 in 2019-20.
Detroit has an 6-7 record against Toronto over the past four seasons.
Detroit holds a 57-38 all-time record against the Raptors with a 31-19 home record and a 26-19 road record.
SERIES TRENDS
Detroit will play two games on the road against Toronto this season and one at home. This season will be the team’s first time playing more
games on the road than at home against the Raptors since the 2013-14 season.
The Pistons have traded series sweeps with the Raptors since 2017-18, with Detroit going 3-0 in both 2020-21 and 2018-19.
CONNECTIONS
Detroit head coach Dwane Casey coached the Toronto Raptors from 2011-12. Casey led the Raptors to a franchise record five-straight
postseasons and won Coach of the Year in 2017-18. Casey went 320-238 in seven seasons with Toronto.
Pistons guard Cory Joseph played for Toronto for two seasons, averaging 8.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.8 steals in 160 games (26
starts) from 2015-17.