Cade Cunningham scored 18 of his 28 points during the second quarter on Wednesday night, guiding the visiting Detroit Pistons to a 113-95 victory over the Toronto Raptors. Cunningham’s effort, which included six made three-pointers from 11 attempts, was instrumental in extending the Pistons’ winning streak to three games and marking eight wins in their last ten matchups.
Pistons Maintain Control Throughout the Game
The Pistons never trailed at any point. Paul Reed contributed 22 points and blocked four shots, while Tobias Harris added a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Duncan Robinson chipped in with 13 points to bolster Detroit’s offense. Despite missing key players Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart due to suspensions related to a recent altercation with the Charlotte Hornets, Detroit managed to dominate both offensively and defensively.
Raptors Struggle Despite Notable Individual Efforts
Toronto’s Immanuel Quickley scored 18 points, Scottie Barnes had 17, RJ Barrett finished with 16, Brandon Ingram contributed 13, and Gradey Dick added 10 points. Jakob Poeltl made his season return from a strained back, posting nine points and six rebounds in his first game since December 21. However, the Raptors could not overcome Detroit’s sizable leads throughout the game.
Key Moments That Secured the Pistons’ Lead
Paul Reed’s impactful first quarter, with 16 points, helped Detroit establish a 29-19 advantage. Toronto briefly cut the gap to six points early in the second quarter, but the Pistons quickly responded with strong defense and executed multiple three-pointers, including one by Duncan Robinson, to extend their lead to 13 points. Although Detroit missed seven consecutive field goals later in the quarter, they held firm defensively and closed the half with an 67-52 lead.
Starting the third quarter, Cunningham scored the opening five points, pushing the lead to 20. Despite Toronto narrowing the deficit to 14 with over seven minutes left, Detroit’s defense and fast breaks, notably a steal by Reed leading to a Harris layup, expanded the margin again. Consecutive three-pointers from Caris LeVert gave Detroit a 23-point cushion entering the final minutes. The Pistons maintained their control, finishing the third quarter ahead 94-74.
Implications and Outlook for Both Teams
The Pistons showed resilience and depth by overcoming the absence of Duren and Stewart while dominating on both ends of the floor. Their consistent defensive effort and Cunningham’s leadership mark a positive trend for Detroit as they seek to build momentum in the season. Meanwhile, the Raptors must address their defensive lapses and find cohesion as they continue their schedule without key contributors such as Collin Murray-Boyles, sidelined with a thumb injury.
“Cade Cunningham scored 18 of his 28 points in the second quarter Wednesday night and the visiting Detroit Pistons defeated the Toronto Raptors 113-95.” – Field Level Media
“Detroit led by 23 in the third quarter and took a 20-point advantage into the fourth.” – Field Level Media
