TORONTO — The past couple of seasons have been a struggle for the Pistons. That is, unless they’re playing the Toronto Raptors. Since he arrived in Detroit, coach Dwane Casey is 8-3 against his former team, including two wins this season.
Make it 9-3.
The Pistons completed the series sweep this season, with a 108-106 victory on Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena.
Through the first 34 minutes, the Pistons played one of their best games of the season, but they had to hold on through a drought without a field goal for a stretch bridging the third and fourth quarters. They got back on track and held on for their fourth win in their last six games.
The Big Three of Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey and Cade Cunningham led the way for the Pistons (16-47). Grant finished with 26 points and four assists, Bey 23 points and six rebounds and Cunningham 22 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.
With the game in the balance and the Pistons’ lead — which was once 18 points — down to five with 2:26 left, Cunningham scored on a putback of a Grant miss to push the lead to seven. Precious Achiuwa (18 points and seven rebounds) answered with a 3-pointer and Pascal Siakam (28 points and five rebounds) followed with a lay-in to get the Raptors (34-28) within two.
The Pistons looked to get a foul call going their way, but the officials reversed a foul call and it went against Isaiah Stewart (10 points and eight rebounds), giving the Raptors two free throws, and a chance to tie. Achiuwa made one of two and the Pistons’ lead was one.
On the ensuing possession, Bey converted a tough drive to the basket past two defenders, and the Pistons led, 108-105, with 14.2 seconds left.
The Raptors had a chance to tie, but they didn’t get a 3-point attempt to go and Cunningham blocked a drive attempt. Achiuwa was fouled and made the first free throw, and he intentionally missed the second, but time ran out.
