by Chuck Sommers
Friday, Mar 24, 2023
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Where to watch: TSN, BSDET
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Raptors -12.5
BetMGM: Raptors -12.5
Caesars: Raptors -12.5
Season record
Pistons: 16-57
Raptors: 35-38
The All-Star break is over in the NBA and it's time to get on the horse and finish up the final home stretch of the season. Big trades, uncertainty, and absolute hilarity across the board all gearing up for the final home stretch of this season. You know who is also gearing up for the home stretch? Our champion handicappers at bigal.com who are ready to win their way all the way to the playoffs. There's a lot going on that we can't wait for in these final 23-25 games and you're going to need every bit of hardcore analysis you can get from this group. Just in the last 30 days we've had some big winners. Doc's Sports has posted a 16-6-0 record in the last month (+$9,200). AAA Sports has killed it at 17-8-0, and then Al McMordie with a dominant 20-11-1 mark over the last 30 days. Everything you need to know and more about what's going on this league and sports in general will be a fun finish to the end. All you have to do is go to bigal.com and find our Best Bets page and put forth something that only you think is good. Here's a hint: Go to the bigal.com website and happy betting!
Pistons - Raptors preview, prediction and analysis
On March 24, 2023, the Detroit Pistons will take on the Toronto Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario.
The Pistons are currently in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference with a record of 16-57. Led by the dynamic duo of point guard Killian Hayes and center Bojan Bogdanovic, the Pistons have lost four in a row and are coming off a 129-107 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
The Raptors, on the other hand, have had a tough season, sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a record of 35-38 and are in the thick of things in the play-in tournament. But the Raptors have lost two straight and are coming off a 118-114 loss to the Indiana Pacers earlier this week.
In terms of style of play, the Pistons are a gritty team that prides themselves on their defense and physicality. They are one of the best rebounding teams in the league, averaging 46.4 rebounds per game, and have a strong post presence with Stewart patrolling the paint. The Raptors, on the other hand, are a more finesse team that relies on their speed and shooting ability. They have one of the best three-point shooting percentages in the league, averaging 38.3% from beyond the arc.
One key matchup to watch will be the battle between the Pistons' defense and the Raptors' offense. If the Pistons can slow down the Raptors' shooting and limit their offensive rebounds, it could be a long night for the Raptors. However, if the Raptors can get hot from three-point range and force turnovers, they could pull off the upset and come away with the win.
Overall, this game has the potential to be a closely contested battle between two teams with different styles of play. The Pistons will be looking to continue their recent hot streak and solidify their playoff position in the Eastern Conference, while the Raptors will be hoping to play spoiler and pick up a win against a tough opponent.
Fans can expect a physical and intense game, as both teams will be looking to assert themselves early and gain the upper hand. The Pistons' defense and rebounding could give them the edge, but the Raptors' shooting and home-court advantage make this game anyone's to win.
Prediction
But the Raptors need this one more. Raptors 118, Pistons 104
Prediction
But the Raptors need this one more. Raptors 118, Pistons 104
Projected starting lineup
Pistons:
PG: Killian Hayes
SG: Jaden Ivey
SF: Buddy Boeheim
PF: Marvin Bagley III
C: James Wiseman
Raptors:
PG: Fred VanVleet
SG: OG Anunoby
SF: Scottie Barnes
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Jakob Poeltl
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this preview, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA/college basketball projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
