Two of the Eastern Conference’s best will square off Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena, as the Detroit Pistons travel to face the Toronto Raptors.
Watch the action on TSN4 at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
The Dinos will try to continue their recent strong stretch of play against the first-place Pistons, having won seven of their past 10 and three of their past four games.
In the final game before All-Star weekend for both teams, four All-Stars will be featured in this one, including the recently added Brandon Ingram.
The 28-year-old Raptors forward was named as an injury replacement for Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, claiming his second All-Star nod of his career.
In 52 games in his first season in Toronto, Ingram is averaging 22.0 points, 5.8 boards and 3.7 assists.
Ingram joins a laundry list of Raptors who will be in Los Angeles for the festivities, including Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, Alijah Martin, AJ Lawson, and head coach Darko Rajakovic.
The Pistons will be represented by guard Cade Cunningham and centre Jalen Duren.
The 24-year-old Cunningham is averaging 25.3 points, 9.6 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals while shooting 45.9 per cent from the field and 32.1 per cent from distance.
As for Duren, the Raptors may have dodged a bullet as the centre will serve the first of his two game suspension. With rookie Murray-Boyles ruled out (thumb) and Jakob Poeltl listed as questionable (back), Duren not playing will ease the blow of those losses in the front court.
The 22-year-old is having a career year this season with Detroit, in 44 games this season, Duren is averaging 17.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 63.1 per cent from the field.
Detroit also comes into this one on fire, only suffering four losses in their past 18 games.
Injury Report:
Raptors
Jakob Poeltl (Back) – Questionable
Collin Murray-Boyles (Thumb) – Out
Jonathan Mogbo (G League Assignment) – Out
Alijah Martin (Two-Way) – Out
Chucky Hepburn (Knee) – Out
Chris Paul (Not With Team) – Out
Pistons
Ron Holland II (Personal) – Out
