Pistons Edge Raptors in NBA Cup Clash

The Detroit Pistons secured a narrow 99-95 victory over the Toronto Raptors in an NBA Cup game on Friday, marking their second win in the tournament's group stage. Malik Beasley scored 20 points, with seven in the decisive fourth quarter, while Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris both recorded double-doubles for Detroit. Despite Jakob Poeltl's standout performance for Toronto, with a season-high 25 points and 19 rebounds, the Raptors suffered their sixth consecutive loss and are now 0-2 in the in-season tournament. The Pistons benefited from a solid team effort under new head coach JB Bickerstaff, overcoming a rough 8-for-38 shooting night from three-point range. Toronto's Gradey Dick and RJ Barrett contributed 16 and 22 points, respectively, but the team's persistent turnover issues, alongside missed opportunities in the final seconds, sealed their fate. The Raptors will face the Boston Celtics next while the Pistons are set to visit the Washington Wizards.