Siakam scores 32 in Raptors’ rout of struggling Pistons. 118-97

TORONTO (AP) — Pascal Siakam scored 32 points, Chris Boucher had 19 points and 13 rebounds and the Toronto Raptors routed the struggling Detroit Pistons 118-97 on Friday night for their eighth win in nine home games.

Fred VanVleet had 18 points and O.G. Anunoby 17, as Toronto won its fourth sweep of Detroit since 2017-18.

The Raptors improved to 7-0 when holding their opponents under 100 points.

Jaden Ivey scored 20 and Marvin Bagley III and James Wiseman each scored 14 for Detroit. However, the Pistons lost the 16th game in 17 games. Detroit has the NBA’s worst record at 16-58.

The Pistons’ road record is 7-29, the worst in Eastern Conference.

Toronto lost its second consecutive game without Scottie Barnes (left wrist), Gary Trent Jr. (right elbow), and Precious Achiuwa, forward (right hamstring).

Although the Raptors had won three of their previous meetings with Detroit by nine points each, they were not challenged in this game. The Pistons led 3-1 after Bagley completed a 3-point play in the first minute, but VanVleet restored Toronto’s lead with a 3 and the Raptors never trailed again.

VanVleet scored ten points in the first, and Toronto led 38 to 26 after the second.

Siakam was successful in seven of his 10 attempts in the second quarter and scored 17 points to extend the Raptors’ lead to 72-502 at halftime. Toronto held a lead of 92-73 in the fourth.

TIP-INS

Pistons: From 3-point range, shot 6 for 25. R.J. Hampton scored thirteen points. … Bagley had nine rebounds. G Cory Joseph (non COVID illness), and G Rodney McGruder(right foot) were unavailable. They joined long-term absentees Bojan Bogdonovic, Alec Burks, Cade Cunningham, Hamadou Diallo and Isaiah Stewart (left shoulder). F Isaiah Livers was able to start after missing four of the previous games due right hip pain. He finished with 12 point.

Raptors: Siakam had 9 assists, and Jakob Poeltl grabbed 11 rebounds. … Made eight 3-pointers in the first half, one more than they had in all of Wednesday’s home loss to Indiana. … 22 points scored on 23 Detroit turnovers.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Trent sat down on the bench in a black jacket with Raptors logos, and his name and jersey number printed on the back.

NEXT

Pistons: Host Milwaukee on Monday.

Washington, DC: Raptors host

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