The Toronto Raptors (47-17) defeated the Detroit Pistons (29-36) in an extremely exciting 121:119 (BOXSCORE) game. DeMar DeRozan set a new record with a monster night. However, the match winner was Fred VanVleet.
In the first half it looked like a clear thing for MoTown, which led to a break with 14 points in front of the home crowd. In the half time, however, Raptors coach Dwane Casey apparently found the right words: Toronto came out of the cabin like the fire brigade. 40 points were awarded to DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Co. at the beginning of the final quarter with 85:84.
However, the pistons could not be shaken off and found their way back into the game. Both teams ran in step at the end of the game – neither the pistons nor the Raptors were able to gain a notable lead. During the Crunchtime the spectators saw a thrilling duel between DeRozan and Blake Griffin in the Little Caesar’s Arena. DeRozan, who scored 9 points in the last 80 seconds, led the Raptors with a Fadeaway 18 seconds to the end with two points. Griffin answered with an And One postup and hit the free-throw 112:111.
The Raptors didn’t have any more time off, but that was no problem for DeRozan, who put down a spectacular play: Through the still unsorted Defense he marched Coast to Coast and stuffed with foul over Anthony Tolliver. After DeRozan turned the free-throw, however, Griffin was there again. One second he hit a hook shot over the board – overtime.
In extra time, they were the same decisive players. 90 seconds to go, DeRozan took the lead with a transformed bonus free-throw of 119:116. However, Griffin didn’t let himself get away with it and hit a threesome to make up for it. After both teams had thrown one throw each, DeRozan grabbed a defensive rebound six seconds before the end and sprinted into the opponent’s zone. There he was defended by three players, but he found the free-standing Fred van Vleet (6.2/10 FG), who turned the open throw. The pistons stayed on for a second, but Griffin’s threesome missed the mark.
In addition to the strong DeRozan (42 points, 16/28 FG, 6 Assists), who set the record for most of the points in the new arena in Detroit, Kyle Lowry (15.15 Dimes) and Norman Powell (17) also convinced the Raptors. Jakob Pöltl caught a rather quiet evening with 4 points and 2 rebounds, but provided a highlight with a strong block.
On the other hand, Blake Griffin (31) was the leading player. Meanwhile Andre Drummond (10,21 Rebounds) played the usual double-double, although a little bit of target water would have been good before the game (5/14 FG). Reggie Bullock (21,3/6 Dreier) also had a strong evening. The pistons can almost write off the playoffs after the defeat.