Raptors vs Pistons: How the two teams stack up against each other

Dec. 31, 2023, 7:30 a.m. Sports

Raptors vs Pistons: How the two teams stack up against each other

The Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons are set to face off in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Raptors are the higher seed, but the Pistons have been one of the best teams in the league since the calendar flipped to 2019. How do these two teams match up against each other?

The Raptors are led by All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry, who is having one of the best seasons of his career. Lowry is averaging 19.0 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game, and he is shooting 46.7 percent from three-point range. He is the engine that makes the Raptors go, and he will be tasked with containing Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson.

Jackson is having a solid season himself, averaging 18.6 points and 6.2 assists per game. He is a capable scorer and playmaker, but he can be wild at times and is turnover-prone. If the Raptors can keep Jackson in check, they will have a good chance of winning the series.

The Raptors also have a big advantage in the frontcourt. Pascal Siakam has emerged as a star this season, and he will be matched up against Pistons forward Blake Griffin. Siakam is averaging 16.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, and he is a big, physical presence on the defensive end. Griffin is a very good player, but he is not in Siakam's class at this point.

The Raptors also have more depth than the Pistons. Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell are both solid players off the bench, and Serge Ibaka is a very good backup center. The Pistons have some good players, but they don't have the same kind of depth as the Raptors.

The Raptors are the better team, and they should win this series. However, the Pistons are a tough opponent, and they cannot be taken lightly. If the Raptors play their best, they should be able to win the series in six games.