3 takeaways from the Detroit Pistons 105-92 loss to the Toronto Raptors

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 31: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the Toronto Raptors on January 31, 2020 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 31: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the Toronto Raptors on January 31, 2020 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Detroit Pistons have now lost five consecutive games. Tonight they fell to the Toronto Raptors 105-92.

The first half was not kind to the Detroit Pistons tonight. The Raptors held a 36 to 6 point advantage in the paint, and the Pistons only made 4 field goals inside the three-point line.

Toronto did an impressive job of forming a force field around the post, which more or less froze Andre Drummond out and hindered his effectiveness. By halftime, he had only attempted three shots.

Admittedly, he turned it around in the second half and wound up posting yet another 20 point & 20 rebound performance.

Detroit’s inability to generate high-percentage looks combined with their struggles to make safe decisions with the basketball ended up being their downfall.

The Pistons committed 17 turnovers and a hefty majority of them came from errant passes that sailed over the head of the intended recipient, or from someone just not being able to get a proper handle on an incoming pass.

Toronto finished the night scoring 66 points in the paint compared to just 28 for Detroit. The Raptors have so many scoring options that are able to muscle their way to the rim and the Pistons just couldn’t find a way to stop them tonight.

The trio of Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and Serge Ibaka combined for 67 points, 21 rebounds and 16 assists. They also shot 65 percent from the field including 58 percent from three-point range.