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Detroit Pistons beat Toronto Raptors, 99-95, in NBA Cup

Umito November 16, 2024

TORONTO — The Detroit Pistons On Monday, they secured their first victory in the Emirates NBA Cup, in the second season of the tournament. On Friday, they added another one.

The Pistons defeated the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena, 99-95, to improve to 2-0 in the 2024 NBA Cup and 6-8 overall. They were led in scoring by Malik Beasley (20 points) and Cade Cunningham, who shot just 6 of 21 overall and 2 of 9 from 3, but had 15 points, 10 assists and six rebounds.

It was a back-and-forth game for much of the evening, but the Raptors controlled the third quarter while the Pistons went cold, shooting 25% overall and 2-for-11 from 3 during of the period. The Pistons came out fourth, however, using a 22-7 run to take an eight-point lead, 93-85, with 5:26 to play.

Back-to-back layups from Cunningham and Marcus Sasser extended their lead to eight with just under three minutes left, and a split trip to the line by Jalen Duren with just under eight seconds left made it a game to two possessions and sealed the victory. The Pistons won despite shooting 21.1% from 3 and 13 of 20 from the line.

Jaden Ivey (14 points) returned after missing Wednesday’s road loss at Milwaukee because of a sprained right toe. The Pistons were without Simone Fontecchio (sprained left big toe) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (head laceration) for the second straight game.

Wendell Moore Jr. plays his role amid injuries

Since arriving to the Pistons in a nighttime trade that also brought No. 37 overall pick Bobi Klintman, Wendell Moore Jr. has been largely out of sight and out of mind. He was with the team in Las Vegas for Summer League and got some playing time, but otherwise had to wait for his chance on a team that has depth at the wing positions.

The 26th pick in the 2022 draft, Moore had played just eight minutes this season before Hardaway’s head injury on Tuesday thrust Moore into the rotation on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks. He was reliable as he finished with nine points, visibly becoming more comfortable as the match progressed.

He ended up playing 23 minutes, almost triple his pregame total, and continued his momentum on Friday. Moore thrived as a cutter and roller, converting several layups and knocking down three of his four shots. In the fourth quarter, he escaped and completed a transition layup off a pass from Sasser to give the Pistons their first lead of the quarter, 84-82, with about eight minutes remaining.

Nothing he did was fancy; he stayed in his role and provided value every time he stepped on the floor. It’s unclear if he’ll still have any minutes left when Hardaway returns, but the 23-year-old has made the most of his opportunity. He finished Friday with eight points (4-of-5 shooting) and six rebounds.

Ron Holland maintains the confidence of his coaching staff

His missed free throws late in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s final loss to the Bucks made waves on social media for all the wrong reasons. It was, however, overall a good start for Holland in his rookie season. The coaching staff agrees.

With Ivey’s return, Holland came off the bench Friday after starting Wednesday. But it was the Pistons’ first substitution of the night and returned to the game a minute into the second half after Tobias Harris picked up his fourth foul. He reached double figures for the second straight game and third time this season, and also set career highs in rebounds (eight) and steals (three).

Defensively, he did a good job on the Raptors’ wing duo of RJ Barrett, who shot 6 of 17 overall, and Gradey Dick, who shot 4 of 15. JB Bickerstaff gave a vote of confidence in the Netherlands before the match. Although it was another tough night from 3 (0 for 6), Holland’s rebounding, defensive hustle and knack for getting down made him an asset in his first season.

Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Follow him @omarisankofa.