The Raptors erased a 14-point deficit with a 15-0 fourth-quarter run, tying it at 102 with six minutes left. But a backup-heavy lineup couldn't hold on, and Detroit closed it out at the free-throw line for a 129-125 win in Toronto's last preseason game.
A Furious Rally
Toronto trailed by as many as 14 in the third quarter as Detroit built a 93-80 lead, part of an 18-lead-change, 13-tie game. The Raptors answered with an early 9-0 run in the first quarter, then ripped off 15 straight points in the fourth, turning an 87-99 deficit into a 102-102 tie with 6:33 left. From there the game tightened again until Isaac Jones punished a putback and two free throws in the closing minutes, putting Detroit back in front for good. Toronto used its last timeout down 111-114 with 2:53 to go and never got closer, falling 129-125 with no overtime needed.
Reserves Carry the Load
None of Toronto's usual starters played. Scottie Barnes, Kawhi Leonard, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl were held out as rest ahead of next week's regular-season game, along with Jamal Shead and Ja'Kobe Walter. Malachi Smith made the most of the minutes, scoring 24 points with 7 rebounds and 3 assists, 7 of them in the fourth quarter alone. Trayce Jackson-Davis matched that late push with 15 fourth-quarter points and stayed on the floor to close it out. Tyreke Key also played the final stretch but finished minus-8, the worst mark on the team, as Detroit's closing group of Chaz Lanier, Ebuka Okorie and Isaac Jones pulled away.
Five Days to Chicago
The loss closed out Toronto's preseason slate before it hosts the Bulls on October 21, five days away. It was the second half of a back-to-back and the Raptors' second straight road game, coming after three games in the previous seven days, while Detroit had a day of rest. With the regulars now rested through this stretch, the next question is how quickly that group finds its rhythm once games start to count.
What was the final score of the Raptors' preseason finale against the Pistons?
Detroit won 129-125 in Toronto's last preseason game, a back-and-forth contest with 18 lead changes before the Pistons closed it out at the free-throw line.
Who played well for the Raptors with the regulars resting?
Malachi Smith led all scorers off the Toronto bench with 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Trayce Jackson-Davis added 15 of his points in the fourth quarter.
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