Siakam scores 32 as Raptors rout struggling Pistons 118-97
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam dunks against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 24, 2023, in Toronto. Credit: AP/Frank Gunn
TORONTO — Pascal Siakam scored 32 points, Chris Boucher had 19 points and 13 rebounds and the Toronto Raptors routed the struggling Detroit Pistons 118-97 on Friday night for their eighth win in nine home games.
Fred VanVleet added 18 points and O.G. Anunoby 17 as Toronto completed its first four-game sweep of Detroit since the 2017-18 season.
The Raptors also improved to 7-0 when holding opponents below 100 points.
Jaden Ivey scored 20 points and Marvin Bagley III and James Wiseman each had 14 for Detroit, but the Pistons lost for the 16th time in 17 games. Detroit has the NBA’s worst record at 16-58.
The Pistons are 7-29 on the road, the worst mark in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto played its second straight game without forward Scottie Barnes (left wrist), guard Gary Trent Jr. (right elbow) and forward Precious Achiuwa (right hamstring).
The Raptors had won the three previous meetings with Detroit by a combined nine points, but were never challenged in this one. The Pistons led 3-1 after Bagley completed a 3-point play in the first minute, but VanVleet restored Toronto’s lead with a 3 and the Raptors never trailed again.
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) moves against Detroit Pistons forward Marvin Bagley III (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 24, 2023, in Toronto. Credit: AP/Frank Gunn
VanVleet scored 10 points in the first and Toronto led 38-26 after one.
Siakam made seven of 10 attempts in the second and scored 17 points as the Raptors extended their lead to 72-52 at the half. Toronto took a 92-73 lead to the fourth.
TIP-INS
Pistons: Shot 6 for 25 from 3-point range. ... R.J. Hampton scored 13 points. ... Bagley had nine rebounds. ... G Cory Joseph (non-COVID illness) and G Rodney McGruder (right foot) were not available, joining long-term absentees Bojan Bogdonovic (left Achilles), Alec Burks (left foot), Cade Cunningham (left leg), Hamadou Diallo (right ankle) and Isaiah Stewart (left shoulder). ... F Isaiah Livers started after missing the previous four games because of right hip soreness. He finished with 12 points.
Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) controls the ball as he moves around Detroit Pistons guard Killian Hayes (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 24, 2023, in Toronto. Credit: AP/Frank Gunn
Raptors: Siakam had nine assists and Jakob Poeltl had 11 rebounds. ... Made eight 3-pointers in the first half, one more than they had in all of Wednesday’s home loss to Indiana. ... Scored 22 points off 23 Detroit turnovers.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
Trent sat on the bench wearing a black jacket adorned with Raptors logos and bearing his name and jersey number on the back.
UP NEXT
Pistons: Host Milwaukee on Monday.
Raptors: Host Washington on Sunday.
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