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Detroit Pistons try to avoid losing three in a row tonight against Toronto Raptors

By Travis Gibbs

Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets goes after a loose ball against Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons during their game at Spectrum Center on February 25, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets goes after a loose ball against Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons during their game at Spectrum Center on February 25, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Detroit travels to Toronto after losing on Sunday in Charlotte. Blake Griffin led the Pistons with 20 points. Dwight Howard led the Hornets with 17 points.

The Detroit Pistons are on the road in Toronto tonight to play the Raptors. They look to avoid losing their third game in a row since coming back from the All-Star Break.

The Pistons looked terrible again on Sunday. They lost 114-98 in Charlotte and looked completely lost. The Hornets scored 70 points in the first half.

Blake Griffin led the Pistons with 20 points and four assists. Dwight Howard led the Hornets with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

I can’t really assess the blame at this point. It’s on the players not playing hard. It’s on Stan Van Gundy for basically losing the focus of this team.

Tonight it’s not going to get any easier for Detroit. Toronto is one of the few teams from the eastern conference that could realistically be playing in the NBA finals.

The Raptors are 41-17 this season. They’d be the first seed in the conference if the playoffs started tomorrow.

Toronto plays very well on their home floor. They are 24-5 at the Air Canada Center this season.

They fell short 122-118 to the Milwaukee Bucks in their last game. The Raptors won their previous seven games before this, however.

Toronto gets it done in many ways. They have one of the most efficient back-courts in the NBA that features Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.

Griffin is going to have his hands full tonight as well. Serge Ibaka will be a tough match-up on both ends of the floor.

Jonas Valanciunas will be a tough match-up for Andre Drummond as well. He can stretch the floor and create opportunities for himself that way.

It’s going to take a lot for the Pistons to get the win tonight. They’re going to need a spark off the bench. Charlotte outscored Detroit 51-28 in bench points. Boston’s bench scored over 60 points in the previous game.

I personally don’t see the Pistons getting back on track tonight. Toronto is a great team and they’ve had Detroit’s number as of late.

Van Gundy needs this win tonight. He’s drastically losing the fan base and his team seems to be weary of him as well.

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