Honestly, if you were hoping for a celebration at Scotiabank Arena, last night wasn't it. The Toronto Raptors took on the Detroit Pistons on January 14, 2026, and things got ugly fast. Final score? Detroit 118, Toronto 104. It wasn't just a loss; it was a physical, grinding reminder that this Raptors rebuild is still very much in the "growing pains" phase.
Darko Rajaković looked frustrated on the sidelines. You could see it in the way he kept adjusting his rotation, trying to find someone—anyone—who could stop the bleeding in the paint. Jalen Duren was a problem. A massive, 6'10" problem. He finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds, basically treating the rim like his personal playground. Toronto had no answer for the size.
When you ask who won the Toronto game last night, the scoreboard gives you the dry facts, but the "how" is where it gets interesting. Scottie Barnes put up his usual numbers—24 points, 8 boards—but he looked exhausted by the fourth quarter. Carrying a franchise is heavy work. He needs help. RJ Barrett had flashes of brilliance, driving to the cup with that left-handed aggression we love, but the perimeter defense was essentially a swinging door for the Pistons' guards.
Why the Pistons Handled Toronto So Easily
It feels weird to say "the Pistons handled them," doesn't it? For years, Detroit was the basement dweller of the Eastern Conference. Not anymore. They’ve built a core that’s finally starting to click, and last night, they looked like the more cohesive unit. Cade Cunningham didn't even need to score 30; he just orchestrated. He finished with 11 assists, consistently finding shooters in the corners whenever Toronto’s defense collapsed.
Toronto’s defensive rotations were slow. Kinda sluggish, actually. They kept getting caught in "no man's land" on high screen-and-rolls.
- Point of attack defense: Poor.
- Rebound margin: Detroit +12.
- Paint points: 58 for the Pistons.
That’s where the game was lost. You can’t give up nearly 60 points in the paint and expect to win in the modern NBA, especially when your own three-point shooting is hovering around 31%. Gradey Dick had a rough night from deep, going 1-for-7. If the "sniper" isn't hitting, the spacing disappears. Suddenly, the lane is clogged, Scottie is double-teamed, and the offense grinds to a halt.
The Scottie Barnes Conundrum
We have to talk about Scottie. He’s the face of the team. He’s an All-Star. But last night showed the limitations of a one-man wrecking crew. In the second quarter, he went on a personal 8-0 run that had the crowd on their feet. It felt like a comeback was brewing. Then, the bench came in.
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The drop-off was steep.
Toronto’s second unit struggled to maintain any sort of rhythm. Ochai Agbaji provides great energy, sure, but the scoring punch just isn't there yet. When you're looking for who won the Toronto game last night, you have to look at the bench scoring: Detroit’s reserves outplayed Toronto’s by a significant margin. It’s hard to win when your starters have to play 40 minutes just to keep the game within ten points.
The Impact of Missing Pieces
Jakob Poeltl’s absence was felt. Deeply. Kelly Olynyk tried his best to provide that veteran presence and playmaking from the high post, but he’s not a rim protector. He’s never going to be the guy who scares Jaden Ivey away from the hoop. Without a true defensive anchor, the Raptors are forced to play a scrambling style of defense that relies on perfect timing. Last night, the timing was off.
It’s about chemistry. It’s about reps. It’s about realizing that this roster is still a work in progress.
What the Stats Don't Tell You
Box scores are great, but they miss the vibe. The energy in the building was weirdly quiet for a Wednesday night. Maybe it’s the January blues, or maybe the fans are starting to get a little restless with the inconsistency. There were a few boos in the third quarter after a particularly bad turnover led to an easy Detroit dunk.
You’ve got to feel for the fans. They’ve seen championship-level basketball, and watching a team struggle with basic defensive assignments is a tough pill to swallow.
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But there’s context here.
The Eastern Conference is deeper than it’s been in a decade. There are no "easy" nights anymore. Even the "bad" teams have Tier-1 athletic talent that can burn you if you show up with anything less than 100% intensity. Toronto showed up with maybe 85% last night. Detroit showed up with 110%.
Key Takeaways from the Loss
- The Raptors need a backup big. Desperately. If Poeltl is out, the interior defense is non-existent.
- Scottie Barnes cannot do it all. The usage rate is getting dangerously high, and we don't want to see him burn out by February.
- Transition defense is a mess. Detroit got 22 points off fast breaks. That’s purely about effort and communication.
Looking Ahead: Can Toronto Bounce Back?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. They’re heading out on a road trip soon, and if they don't fix the defensive communication, it’s going to be a long flight home. The focus in practice this morning is undoubtedly going to be on "shell drills" and box-outs.
If you're wondering who won the Toronto game last night because you're worried about the standings, the Raptors are now sliding toward the play-in tournament bubble. They’re currently sitting in that 10th spot, with teams like the Hawks and Nets breathing down their necks. Every game matters. This wasn't just a loss to Detroit; it was a missed opportunity to gain ground on a night when other East rivals also lost.
The good news? Immanuel Quickley is finding his rhythm again after that minor hamstring tweak. He had 18 points and 6 assists, looking much more comfortable in the pick-and-roll. His chemistry with Barrett is one of the few bright spots right now. They seem to have an innate sense of where the other is on the floor, which is something you can't really coach.
How to Fix the Current Slump
It’s not time to panic, but it is time to adjust. Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster are likely working the phones. We’ve heard the rumors about looking for more wing depth. Honestly, they just need more "dogs." Guys who are willing to do the dirty work, dive for loose balls, and take a charge.
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Right now, the team feels a bit too "nice."
Watching the game, you didn't see much talk on defense. It was quiet. A loud defense is a good defense. Someone needs to be the vocal leader on that end of the floor, and while Scottie is leading by example with his play, he’s still growing into that vocal role.
Actionable Steps for the Raptors
- Simplify the defensive scheme: Stop switching everything if it’s creating mismatches that the opponent can exploit every single time.
- Prioritize the glass: Every player, from the point guard to the center, needs to crash the boards. No more "one and done" possessions for the opponent.
- Feed the hot hand: If RJ Barrett starts 4-of-5, keep going to him until the defense proves they can stop him.
The reality of who won the Toronto game last night is that the better-prepared team won. Detroit had a game plan to exploit Toronto’s lack of size, and they executed it to perfection. Toronto, meanwhile, looked like they were reacting rather than dictating the flow of the game.
To get back on track, the Raptors need to rediscover their identity. They used to be the team that nobody wanted to play because they were long, athletic, and annoying. They were "pests" on defense. That identity has faded a bit. Reclaiming that grit is the only way they’re going to climb back up the standings and make some noise in the postseason.
For now, fans just have to buckle up. Rebuilds aren't linear. There are peaks, and there are valleys like last night. The key is making sure the valleys don't become the norm.
Check the injury report for tomorrow’s practice session. If Poeltl is back on the court, even in a limited capacity, that’s a huge win for the team's morale. If not, expect more of the same "small ball" experiments that, frankly, haven't been working against teams with dominant centers. Watch the film, fix the rotations, and get ready for the next one. That's the only way forward.