Ailing Pistons fall at Toronto

11/5/2009

TORONTO - A second-quarter surge and a big night by Andrea Bargnani gave the Toronto Raptors a rare victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Bargnani had 22 points and a career-high 12 rebounds for his first double-double of the season, Chris Bosh scored 25 points and the Raptors used a 44-point second quarter to beat the Pistons 110-99 last night.

Bosh had eight rebounds, falling two shy of his fourth double-double in four games, but was pleased to see the 7-foot Bargnani pick up the slack.

Hedo Turkoglu added 16 points and Antoine Wright had 12 for the Raptors, who had lost seven of their previous eight games against Detroit.

For the second straight game, Detroit played without guard Richard Hamilton (right ankle) and forward Tayshaun Prince (sore lower back), both of whom are day-to-day. Prince, whose streak of 496 consecutive games ended in Tuesday's home victory over Orlando, did not accompany the team to Toronto.

Ben Gordon had a season-high 30 points, former Raptors player Charlie Villanueva and Will Bynum each scored 16 for the Pistons, who have lost three of four. Rodney Stuckey added 13 points and a career-high 10 rebounds.

Toronto became the first team this season to score more than 100 points against Detroit, which began the night second in the league behind Boston in points allowed at 85.3.

"Needless to say, you let anybody in the league score that many points and it's going to be tough to counter that," Gordon said of Toronto's explosive second. "It seemed like every possession they got a good shot or got to the free throw line. It's tough to win like that, when you're not really stopping them at all. They're either going to get a good look or get some free throws."

Toronto's reserves did most of the damage in the second, when the Raptors made seven of their first eight shots and 10 of their first 12. The 44 points were a season high for a quarter and gave Toronto a season-high 68 in the first half.

After leading by as many as 17, Toronto had an 85-77 edge to start the fourth but couldn't hold it. Detroit rookie Austin Daye opened the quarter with a 3-pointer, sparking a 14-3 run. Bynum capped it with a 3 followed by a reverse layup as the Pistons took the lead for the first time since the second quarter, 91-90, with 7:46 remaining.

The Pistons weren't in front for long. After Jason Maxiell missed two free throws, Jose Calderon restored Toronto's lead with a 3-pointer. Bynum tied it again with a layup but Bosh made a hook shot, Bargnani hit four straight free throws and Turkoglu drained a jumper to give the Raptors a 101-93 lead with 3:45 to go.