TORONTO – Jerami Grant had 26 points as the Detroit Pistons edged the Toronto Raptors 108-106 on Thursday.
Saddiq Bey had 23 points, one more than Cade Cunningham, the 2021 No. 1 draft pick. Cunningham added 12 rebounds for the Pistons, who have won four of their last six games. He also had four game-high three-pointers. Ontarian Cory Joseph led his team with six assists, including a steal and a block.
The Raptors made no secret of their frustration with the work of the referees, and even that head coach Nick Nurse was ejected from the game in the third quarter.
Pistons coach Dwane Casey had a smile on his face as he watched Nurse leave the field.
Casey led Toronto until 2017-18 before being fired. Since then, he’s 9-3 against the Raptors, including six straight wins.
Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 28 points. Scottie Barnes provided 21, Precious Achiuwa 18 and Gary Trent 14.
Siakam approached Toronto at 106-104 with a stride shot, with 56 seconds on the clock. With 37 seconds to go, Achiuwa had a chance to level the score, but only managed one free throw. Bey followed it up with a basket, then the visitors stayed the course.
Fred VanVleet was sidelined for the third straight game with a right knee contusion.
The Raptors were also without the services of OG Anunoby and will be for another two weeks according to what reported Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Raptors player suffered a broken right hand and his condition will be assessed in just over two weeks.
The 24-year-old is averaging 17.5 per game this season, which is a personal high. The Raptors are scheduled to face the Detroit Pistons tonight.
The Raptors were also playing without Thad Young (non-COVID-19 illness). The reserve has scored 10, 11 and 11 points in his last three games.
Nick Nurse’s group is seventh in the East, two games behind the sixth-placed Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors will play again Friday night at home against the Orlando Magic.
KD does well on his return but still bows out
The return of Kevin Durant did not stop the slide of the Brooklyn Nets, who lost 113-107 against the Miami Heat.
Durant scored 31 points in his first game since Jan. 15, after 21 missed games.
KD inspired the Nets by taking a 16-point lead, but the Heat ended up tightening their defense in the second half to regain control. He missed a three-point shot that would have given his team the lead 57 seconds from the end of the game.
Bam Adebayo had 30 points in the win, along with 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Tyler Herro added 27 points for the leaders in the East, who rebounded from a loss to Milwaukee the night before.
The Nets are still without two other important players in Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons.
Elsewhere in the NBA
Bulls 124 – Hawks 130
CHI: DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine each had 22 points
ATL: Trae Young scored 39 points, including 7 long baskets
Grizzlies 107 – Celtics 120
MEM: Ja Morant had 38 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists
BOS: Jayson Tatum scored 21 of his 37 points in the 4th quarter
Kings 115 – Spurs 112
SAC: Harrison Barnes and De’Aaron Fox had 27 and 26 points respectively
SAS: Lonnie Walker IV amassed 30 points, and Dejounte Murray 29
Warriors 113 – Mavericks 122
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Warriors 113 – Mavericks 122
GSW: Stephen Curry was shut out in the last quarter and finished with 21 points
DAL: Luka Doncic had 41 points and the Mavs beat Golden State for the 2nd time in 5 days
Lakers 111 – Clippers 132
LAL: In the loss, LeBron James had 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists
LAC: Reggie Jackson led the charge with 36 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds
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