Toronto Raptors vs. Detroit Pistons Predictions, Picks and NBA Preview – February 8, 2016

The Toronto Raptors might not want to head into the All-Star break just yet. The Raps have been on one heck of a roll since the start of 2016, and are closing in on the Cleveland Cavaliers for the No. 1 seed in the East. They’ll look to keep their impressive run going against an up-and-down Detroit Pistons team that’s struggling on the defensive end of the floor.

Read on below for our breakdown of this Eastern Conference matchup. And for more of Monday’s top hoops action, check out our preview of the Kings vs. Cavs.

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Toronto Raptors vs. Detroit Pistons Betting Preview

Where: Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit

When: Monday, February 8, 7:30 PM ET

Line: Toronto Raptors (-1) at Detroit Pistons (+1); total 205.0 – view all NBA lines

Betting on the Toronto Raptors (34-16)

The Toronto Raptors are halfway through a six-game road swing, and have come away with two wins out of the first three. After dropping their first game at Denver (112-93), they’ve bounced back with wins against Phoenix (104-97) and Portland (110-103).

The Raptors are now a red-hot 13-1 in their last 14 games, and 9-5 ATS. Since Jan. 9, only the Warriors, Spurs and Thunder have had a better offensive rating than the Raps’ 110 points per 100 possessions.

Guards Kyle Lowry (21 PPG, 6 APG, and 5 RPG this season) and DeMar DeRozan (23 PPG, 4 RPG, 4 APG) are showing why they’ll be playing at home in Toronto this coming All-Star weekend. Lowry has scored 26 and 30 points in his last two games, while shooting a sizzling 12-of-20 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, DeRozan has averaged 26 points in his last five games.

DeRozan was instrumental in leading Toronto to a 111-107 home win over the Pistons in their first meeting of the season on Jan. 30. He had a game-high 29 points, while Lowry chipped in with 18. With Detroit’s top wing defender Kentavious Caldwell-Pope still sidelined with a core injury, DeRozan should have a very good chance of continuing his hot streak.

Toronto is 6-2 in its last eight games against Detroit, while averaging 110 points per game.

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Betting on the Detroit Pistons (27-25)

The Detroit Pistons need a tune-up. They’re just 2-4 in their last six games, and have been playing some pretty inconsistent ball in general. They’ve been notably poor on the defensive end and are giving up 107.3 points in their last six.

Reggie Jackson broke out with 26 points while Anthony Tolliver and Marcus Morris added 17 and 16, respectively, but it still wasn’t enough to prevent a 112-104 loss to the Pacers on Saturday.

With the Pistons still shorthanded with the injury to Caldwell-Pope, it could be a struggle for the them to come up with a win even though they are at home against a surging Raptors team. The Pistons are just 1-4 in their last five home games against teams with winning records. (Although, that one win was a big one against the Golden State Warriors.)

However, don’t underestimate the power of Jackson and All-Star big man Andre Drummond (17 PPG and 15 RPG this season) against a Raptors team that could be a bit rusty after an extended layoff. Detroit is a perfect 4-0 ATS in its last four meetings against the Raptors, while the over has gone 8-1 in their last nine meetings.

Writer’s Prediction

The Raptors (-1) roll to a 110-104 road win over the Pistons.

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