Pistons hold off Raptors' late rally for second straight NBA Cup victory

Field Level Media|published: Fri 15th November, 22:12 2024

Nov 15, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (00) drives to the basket as Toronto Raptors forward Jamison Battle (77) tries to defend during the second quarter at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Cade Cunningham had 15 points and 10 assists and the visiting Detroit Pistons defeated the Toronto Raptors 99-95 Friday night in an NBA Cup game.

Malik Beasley added a team-high 20 points for Detroit (6-8), who have won their first two games of the in-season tournament following their 123-121 victory over Miami last Tuesday.

Jaden Ivey scored 14 points for the Pistons and Tobias Harris had 11 and a team-high 11 rebounds. Jalen Duren had 12 points and Ronald Holland II scored 10 points to round out six players in double-figures for Detroit.

Jakob Poeltl had a season-best 25 points, grabbed 19 rebounds and had three blocked shots for the Raptors (2-11), who have lost their first two tournament games and six in a row overall. RJ Barrett added 22 points and Gradey Dick scored 16 points.

Detroit closed the first quarter on a 13-2 surge to take a 32-27 lead. Toronto battled back in the second quarter to tie the game at 39 thanks to Barrett's 3-pointer at the 8:00 mark. The teams traded points and tied again at 44 at the 4:00 mark but Detroit pulled away slightly and took a 55-52 halftime lead.

The Raptors came out hot again in the second half with a 16-5 burst after the break. Poeltl had three offensive rebounds in one possession before making a layup to give Toronto a 71-64 lead with 6:08 remaining in the quarter. The Raptors held on to lead 78-73 entering the final frame.

Detroit went on a run to open the fourth quarter and Beasley's shot off a Wendell Moore Jr. assist tied the game 82-82 with 9:09 left. The teams traded buckets with Moore Jr. hitting a reverse layup and Jamison Battle answering with a 3-pointer for Toronto.

A Cunningham 3-pointer capped off a 9-0 Pistons run to give Detroit a 93-85 lead with 5:25 left. Toronto got within four points at the 1:45 mark thanks to a Davion Mitchell layup but would get no closer. Duren and Ivey each made one free throw within the final 13 seconds of the game to give Detroit the win.

--Field Level Media

Latest