Detroit Pistons vs. Toronto Raptors: What time, TV channel is today's game on?
There are, perhaps, two ways to take the Detroit Pistons’ most recent game, a 128-122 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday night. The optimists — we see you, Tom Gores — will note that the Pistons were absolutely capable of beating the best team in the league on its home court, a place where the Celtics haven’t lost in 15 tries this season. The pessimists — aka, anyone who has watched the entirety of a game this season — will note that if the Pistons couldn’t hold onto a 19-point halftime lead for even a full quarter, why should we believe they’ll ever win again?
The losing streak, by the way, is at 28 games. That’s a franchise record — and double the previous longest streak — and an NBA record for a single season, as well as tied for the league’s longest over multiple seasons (with the 2014-15/2015-16 Philadelphia 76ers, who ended one season with 10 straight losses and opened the next with 18 more). A loss tonight would leave the Pistons alone in the NBA history books and tie them for the worst losing streak in North American pro history, with the 1942-45 Chicago Cardinals of the NFL. But are the Pistons really that bad?
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Were we in a court of law, the prosecution might enter into evidence the Nov. 19 game in Toronto between the Pistons and the Raptors, in which Detroit was blown out by 29 as the Raps had seven players score in double figures (including Jakob Poetl, who went 6-for-6 and added 10 rebounds) and shot 53.9% from the floor. The Pistons, meanwhile, shot just 47% thanks to brutal games from Jaden Ivey (3-for-10) and Kevin Knox (2-for-11). Cade Cunningham’s 7-for-17 game was a performance he’d probably like to leave at the border, too, but at least he put up 18 points, five rebounds and four assists (and three turnovers).
Just by the numbers? Yes, they are that bad. The Pistons are averaging 109.6 points a game during the streak, which is more than six points below the league average (115.4) entering Friday’s games, and giving up 123.1, which … wow. The average margin of defeat during the streak has been 13.5 points a game — that’s more than all but two Pistons (Cade Cunningham and Bojan Bogdanovic) are averaging. We’re not suggesting that the league could let the Pistons play 6-on-5 against the Raps for a game — they’re from Canada, they should understand a power play — but that’s mostly because it might not help.
Cunningham, of course, has been one of the few consistent Pistons; he’s averaging 24.8 points 7.2 assists and 5 rebounds a game in December. Likewise, Bogdanovic has put up 19.7 points and 3.5 rebounds a game since returning from a calf strain. Beyond them? Only Jaden Ivey is scoring in double figures in December, at 14 points a game despite shooting 25% beyond the arc.
After tonight, the Pistons have New Year’s Eve off before heading to Houston to face the Rockets (and Ausar Thompson’s twin brother, Amen) on Monday night. The Raptors, meanwhile, head home to host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday before heading out on a six-game road trip against the Western Conference.
Here's what you need to know about this Pistons vs. Raptors game, TV and streaming info, the injury report and projected starting lineups.
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Detroit Pistons vs. Toronto Raptors start time today
Matchup: Pistons (2-29) vs. Raptors (12-19).
Date: Saturday, Dec. 30.
Time: 6 p.m. ET.
Where: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Betting line: TBA (how to bet and get sign up bonuses).
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Detroit Pistons vs. Toronto Raptors TV channel today
TV: Bally Sports Detroit.
Radio: WWJ-AM 950 (Pistons radio affiliates).
Streaming: Fubo (free trial).
If you do not have Bally Sports Detroit, you can sign up for Fubo with a free trial to watch the Pistons all season long.
Detroit Pistons injury report vs. Toronto Raptors
Point guard Killian Hayes (illness) returned Thursday, but starting power forward Isaiah Stewart (right big toe sprain) is out. Monte Morris (right quad strain) has yet to debut and is out into January.
Forward Garrett Temple and center Christian Koloko were ruled out of Friday’s game against the Celtics.
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Pistons vs. Raptors projected starting lineups
Pistons: G Cade Cunningham, G Jaden Ivey, F Bojan Bogdanovic, PF Kevin Knox, C Jalen Duren
Celtics: G Gary Trent Jr., F Scottie Barnes, F Pascal Siakam, F O.G. Anunoby, C Jakob Poetl.
Lineups subject to change.
Pistons uniform, jersey vs. Celtics
The Pistons will be in their classic white Association Edition uniforms after two straight games in their City Edition kits, an ode to the Bad Boys.
The Raptors are donning their black Statement Edition kits with "RAPTORS" in a red-and-white northern-facing chevron don't they know there's only one "King of the North" in Detroit this month?
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Contact Ryan Ford at rford@freepress.com. Follow him on X (which used to be Twitter, y’know?) @theford.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons game score vs. Toronto Raptors: Time, TV channel
