Detroit Pistons vs. Toronto Raptors 2019-20 season preview

Toronto’s Offense vs. Pistons’ Defense

Yes, Toronto lost Kawhi, but they are well-coached, smart, versatile and will still be difficult to stop. Lowry scored 35 against Detroit in a losing effort last season, and Siakam also had big games against Detroit.

But what made Toronto special last season was the talent and versatility of their wings.

Siakam is an up and coming star, but without Leonard and Green, Toronto is much easier for Detroit to guard. They will obviously have to do a better job against Lowry, who looked like an All-NBA point guard last season against Detroit. Expect Bruce Brown to be tasked with slowing the veteran and trying to keep him from getting near the rim.

The big test will be Siakam. The Pistons struggle against long, athletic wings, and this will be a game that will test whether the off season additions of Markieff Morris and Tony Snell paid off. The Pistons must stop Siakam from getting loose in transition, starting by taking care of business on the offensive boards and not allowing long outlet passes. Andre Drummond also needs to balance getting a hand in Gasol’s face with cleaning up the defensive boards, as Toronto gets a lot of weakside putbacks with Ibaka and Siakam.

There is still a lot in Toronto that should worry the Pistons, but Detroit will give a small sigh of relief when they see Stanley Johnson taking a three and not Kawhi.