Stephen Nover's NBA Free Friday Play
(NBA) Toronto vs. Detroit, 01/14/2022 7:00 PM, Score: 87 - 103
Point Spread: -8.50 | -105.00 Toronto (Away)
Result: Loss
The Raptors are back to full strength and dangerous. Toronto should be motivated here after its six-game win streak was stopped by the Suns, 99-95, in front of an empty home gym this past Tuesday.

Toronto also has revenge incentive for a 127-121 home loss to the Pistons on Nov. 13. The Pistons embarrassed the Raptors by shooting 54.4 percent from the floor. The Raptors didn't have Fred VanVleet in that contest.

The Pistons fell back to earth after rallying from a 22-point deficit to upset the Jazz, 126-116, this past Monday as they were hammered by the Bulls, 133-87, on Tuesday. Detroit's last three losses have been by an average of 35 points.

The rebuilding Pistons rank 29th in scoring. They also are 28th in defensive 3-point percentage and 29th in defensive field goal percentage. That doesn't bode well considering how hot Pascal Siakam and VanVleet have been shooting this month. Siakam is averaging 23.7 points in January, including 40.9 percent from 3 point range, while VanVleet is averaging 29.5 points.

Toronto has covered seven of the last eight times it has been favored.

(Editor's note: Stephen Nover is on a 67 percent NBA run the past nine days and has his NBA Underdog Game of the Month going today in addition to this free selection.)