Raptors Rule Out Fred VanVleet vs. Pistons

The Toronto Raptors will be without Fred VanVleet who remains sidelined for personal reasons on Saturday against the Detroit Pistons

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Fred VanVleet is going to be out a little bit longer.

The Toronto Raptors have ruled out the 29-year-old guard for personal reasons ahead of Saturday afternoon's game against the Detroit Pistons. It's the second straight game VanVleet has missed since he was a late scratch ahead of last Thursday's game.

Toronto is expected to run with the same starting lineup Saturday, using Scottie Barnes as the point guard alongside Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr., and Jakob Poeltl. Precious Achiuwa, Chris Boucher, and Jeff Dowtin Jr. will likely be the first three off the bench.

For Dowtin, this is a big opportunity to impress the Raptors in limited minutes as a backup point guard. He filled in adequately on Thursday, playing 19 minutes including an extended look in the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans' second unit.

"I think he’s just pretty good defensively," Raptors coach Nick Nurse said Friday. "He understands he's not afraid."

Dowtin provides a little more size than Malachi Flynn and a little more consistency than Dalano Banton at this point in his career. Neither of the latter two seized their opportunities this season and Nurse figured it was time to give Dowtin a try.

It's an important stretch for Dowtin who remains on a two-way contract and is currently ineligible for post-season play. The Raptors would have to waive someone and convert Dowtin to a standard contract in order to have him available for the playoffs.

Further Reading

Raptors discuss using Gary Trent Jr. as the screener in late-game actions

Gary Trent Jr. clinches Raptors 1st victory of playoff-defining stretch as defense locks down Pelicans

Nick Nurse explains what he wants from Scottie Barnes in new role alongside Jakob Poeltl