The Toronto Raptors looked to regain some momentum as they played the Detroit Pistons in Monday nights action. The Detroit Pistons have been hot, winning 9 of their last 10 games. The Toronto Raptors came out with tons of intensity and completed destroyed the Pistons in the first half leading 60-48 going into the second half. Then the Pistons turned it on. They outscored the Toronto Raptors 34-23 in the 3rd quarter and the Raptors had 10 of their total 18 turnovers in the 3rd. The Raptors could never really get back on top as they lost the game 114-111. Jonas Valanciunas had 31 points and 12 rebounds while Brandon Jennings had 34 points and 10 assists. Kyle Lowry didn’t score until the 4th quarter, but finished off the game with 10 points and 12 assists.
Analysis: The Toronto Raptors are on the bad end of a momentum swing in their season, and if they don’t regain ground they could be in trouble. They have lost 5 of their last 6 games, and some of them in real ugly fashion. The thing is, they have stints in the game where they really lack some offensive power, when either Kyle Lowry or Lou Williams aren’t doing well shooting wise, the Raptors struggle to get points up. Not only that, but the Raptors have ridiculously bi-polar energy swings. I feel as if most of this is in part DeMar DeRozans injury finally catching up to the Raptors. With DeRozan out, Lowry and Wiliams are the only real offensive threats, and Lowry himself is the one who usually has the ball when the game in on the line. You can go with that for 10-15 games, but eventually, teams will catch on and notice that other then Lowry, the Raptors don’t trust anyone else with the ball. DeMar DeRozan is expected to return to the Raptors sometime this week (whether it be against the 76ers or the Hawks). They need him back, he would complete their duo, and bring back some energy that the Raptors sometimes desperately lack.
