Red-Hot Raptors Beat Pistons, 103-89
NOAH TRISTER, AP Sports Writer
AUBURN HILLS (AP) — Kyle Lowry scored 25 points, and the Toronto Raptors went on an 11-2 run at the start of the fourth quarter to pull away for their 14th victory in 15 games, 103-89 over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night.
Terrence Ross added 18 points for the Raptors, who recovered quickly after Detroit's Andre Drummond made a shot from about 80 feet to end the third quarter. Toronto led 70-65 at the start of the fourth, and Lowry's driving three-point play set the tone for the final period. The Atlantic Division-leading Raptors eventually turned the game into a rout, to the delight of the many Toronto fans in attendance at the Palace.
Drummond had 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Pistons.
Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy said before the game that defense was a point of emphasis for his team, and the Pistons responded well initially, taking a 24-19 lead after one quarter. Toronto was up 49-43 at the half, and although the Raptors looked like they were in control at 62-49 in the third, Detroit scored nine straight points to get back in it.
Drummond's long shot to end the third was only the third 3-pointer of his career, but the Pistons couldn't build on it. Lowry and Patrick Patterson made 3s early in the fourth to give Toronto an 81-67 advantage, and Detroit was never closer than nine after that.
DeMar DeRozan scored 17 points for the Raptors, ending a streak of five games with at least 20.
Ersan Ilyasova led the Pistons with 17 points.
TIP-INS
Raptors: Toronto was without F DeMarre Carroll (right knee) and F James Johnson (left ankle). ... The Raptors have won 23 consecutive games when allowing fewer than 100 points.
Pistons: Detroit was missing G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (core muscle strain) and G Jodie Meeks (right foot).
UP NEXT
Raptors: At Minnesota on Wednesday night.
Pistons: Host Denver on Wednesday night.
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