Game #51: Toronto Raptors @ Detroit Pistons - Feb. 8/16 7:30 PM EST on SN1

[consmap]

Starting Lineups:

Raptors

PG - Kyle Lowry
SG - DeMar DeRozan
SF - Norman Powell
PF - Luis Scola
C - Jonas Valanciunas

Pistons

PG - Reggie Jackson
SG - Stanley Johnson
SF - Marcus Morris
PF - Ersan Ilyasova
C - Andre Drummond


Key Matchup:

The Toronto Raptors head to Detroit to face the Pistons, after winning in the Portland Trail Blazers' arena for the first time since 2006. Kyle Lowry (30 points, 8 assists) and DeMar DeRozan (29 points, 5 rebounds) led the Raptors to a win, and each outscored their back court matchups in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Three days of rest have been awarded to the Raptors before their game in Detroit, which is good news for starting center Jonas Valanciunas, who will be preparing to take on the All Star center Andre Drummond. The two young big men have clashed numerous times in the past, sending shock waves through every arena that showcased their bouts of grit and overwhelming strength. Valanciunas and his teammates were able to get the upper hand in their previous encounter this season, but Drummond will be looking to turn the tables in his favour for the secound round. Once again, an extraordinary battle for the paint, control of the glass, and bragging rights, takes place at the Palace of Auburn Hills!


LET'S GO RAPTORS

[DanH]

Glad to see you took my 12 win minimum seriously. In light of your early success, the expectation has been raised to 16 wins.

[Barolt]

There's only 32 games left in the season, I'm not sure why consmap can't just lead us to victory in all of them.

[rocwell]

Glad to see you took my 12 win minimum seriously. In light of your early success, the expectation has been raised to 16 wins.

Consmap loves pressure. He eats it for breakfast.

[rocwell]

There's only 32 games left in the season, I'm not sure why consmap can't just lead us to victory in all of them.

Man, seems like yesterday the off season training camp was starting..

[MixxAOR]

Doesn't matter how many consmap wins in regular season it's all about the playoffs. :P

[007]

Let's catch Cleveland!

[consmap]

[rocwell]

[Axel]

Gotta do a better job against Jennings this time.

Rebounding battle likely determines game. Pistons rely on offensive boards to boost their offence. Protect the glass and we should win comfortably.

[planetmars]

Player to watch is Stanley Johnson. KCP isn't playing until after the ASG. Johnson is a rook but has been pretty good the past couple of games as a starter (averaging 18ppg, 9.5rpg, 4apg, 1.5 spg).

[3inthekeon]

Gotta do a better job against Jennings this time.

Rebounding battle likely determines game. Pistons rely on offensive boards to boost their offence. Protect the glass and we should win comfortably.

Jennings has shot the 3 better when tightly defended (37.5%) than when open (24.3%) or wide open (30.8%).

Maybe we have to do a better job of sagging and failing to close out.

[Barolt]

Player to watch is Stanley Johnson. KCP isn't playing until after the ASG. Johnson is a rook but has been pretty good the past couple of games as a starter (averaging 18ppg, 9.5rpg, 4apg, 1.5 spg).

Ross did a fantastic job on Johnson last time out. Had one possession where Johnson tried to drive on him, Ross stayed in front and forced an airball.

[3inthekeon]

Often mentioned we rank 29th with only 50.7% of our FG's assisted. The only team lower? The Pistons (48.6%)

[Nilanka]

Feels like 3 weeks since the last game....