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Raptors hold off Pistons to push win streak to 10 games

By Jordan Skuse

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 31: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors goes up for a dunk during the game against the Detroit Pistons on January 31, 2020 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 31: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors goes up for a dunk during the game against the Detroit Pistons on January 31, 2020 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors held off a late rally by the Detroit Pistons to win 105-92 on Friday. The win was Toronto’s 10th in a row and means Nick Nurse will coach at the 2020 All-Star Game.

This game was may have been played in downtown Detroit, but it felt very much like a home game for the Toronto Raptors. The 13-point victory for the “visitors” pushed their win streak to 10 games and punched Nick Nurse’s coaching staff’s collective ticket to All-Star weekend.

Nurse will serve as the head coach for Team Giannis. Tamper away, Nick.

Friday’s win saw Toronto score 66 points in the paint but only attempt 11 free throws. The Raptors finished +38 in paint points, a big reason why they were victorious on the night. The injury-riddled Pistons struggled from the field and wound up finishing with a field goal percentage of 35. Unlike Toronto, Detroit lived at the free-throw line on Friday evening, converting on 25 of 34 attempts.

Toronto was led by Pascal Siakam (30 points on 12-18 shooting) and Serge Ibaka (21 points on 9-14 shooting, including 3-4 from beyond the arc). Ibaka has now scored 20 or more points in three straight games.

For Detroit, Derrick Rose finished with a team-high 21 points in the loss while Andre Drummond somehow managed to have a quiet, unimpactful 20-20 performance. It takes a “special” player to do that and perhaps Drummond’s questionable character is why the Pistons are having trouble finding a willing trade partner.

In the standings, Nick Nurse’s squad sits 6.5 games back from the conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks, but Toronto holds a two-game lead over the Boston Celtics for second place in the east.

Up next, Toronto will go for an 11th consecutive victory against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday but before that, here are the grades following the dinos 10th win in as many games.

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