Toronto Raptors vs Detroit Pistons Jan.4/08

TORONTO (CP) -- The Detroit Pistons toyed with the Toronto Raptors all night long Friday, and then like a well-oiled machine pushed their game up to an entirely different gear.

The hottest team in the NBA proved too much for Toronto, capturing their 11th consecutive victory with a 101-85 win over the Raptors.

``We were toe to toe with them for pretty much the whole game,'' said Toronto's Chris Bosh. ``But they put us to sleep a little bit, they were real methodical. And then when it was time to make plays, they just turned it on and they were really aggressive.'' Richard Hamilton scored 22 points to lead the Pistons (26-7), who own the longest current run in the NBA.

[ ] Rasheed Wallace added 20 points, while Chauncey Billups finished with 18. Antonio McDyess had 12 rebounds.

Andrea Bargnani had 25 points to top Toronto (17-16), while Bosh had 23 points and 16 rebounds. Jose Calderon finished with 15 points and nine assists and Jamario Moon added 10 points.

The Pistons, 18-2 against Eastern Conference opponents, led for most of the night but never by more than 13 points, the Raptors making several runs that cut the gap to as little as a point.

But after a basket by Calderon with 3:34 left in the game made it an eight-point Pistons lead, Detroit displayed its veteran poise. The visitors couldn't miss, outscoring Toronto 12-4 to the final buzzer making for a more lopsided score than reflected the game.

``Their execution was flawless,'' Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said of Detroit. ``They're smart basketball players. They're just a deep talented basketball team. Probably four of those guys are going to be on the all-star team this year.

``They won 11 games in a row for a reason.''

Toronto trailed by 13 early in the third quarter but battled back with Bargnani hitting a long jumper with two seconds left to cut Detroit's lead to 69-64, setting up what promised to be an entertaining final quarter.

But the Raptors fizzled in the fourth, and the Pistons poured it on.

``We are definitely satisfied with how we are playing right now. Who wouldn't be?'' said Billups. ``Eleven straight games _ it is an amazing feat in this game with a lot of great players and a lot of great teams. We are definitely happy about that.''

Bargnani only took one shot in the fourth, and missed.

``I have to play better, the last quarter I didn't do so much,'' Bargnani said.

The Raptors were playing their first game back home since going 3-4 on a gruelling West Coast road trip, capped by Monday's 97-92 win in New Orleans.

It wasn't exactly the warm welcome home they were hoping for.

The Pistons topped Toronto virtually across the board, shooting 51 per cent to the Raptors' 41, and outrebounding Toronto 47-36. After Bosh, Kris Humphries had the most Raptors rebounds with just six.

Toronto's bench, normally one of its strengths, was outscored 27-5 by Detroit's.

``They just haven't played well,'' Mitchell said. ``You've got to come out and play with some energy, especially coming off the bench. You can't sit back and let the game come to you, you've got to come in with some energy, you've got to come in running.''

Toronto also struggled at the free throw line, hitting just 14 of 22 attempts.

ESPN broadcast the game in the U.S., the first American television coverage Toronto has received at home in the regular season since Vince Carter was a Raptor.

Mitchell and Raptors guard Anthony Parker were both mic'ed for the game.

``It's a privilege,'' Mitchell said before tipoff. ``We're here in Canada, and we feel like we've got a good basketball team, good people, a good organization, and we're excited that the NBA is here tonight.''

The Pistons shot 53 per cent in the first quarter, but never led by more than four points, leading the Raptors 22-19 heading into the second.

Toronto cut Detroit's advantage to two points midway through the second, but the Pistons took off on a 14-4 run capped by a three-pointer by Billups that put Detroit up 48-36. The Pistons took a 48-39 lead into halftime.

Bargnani led the way with 12 points in the third as the Raptors rallied to cut the Pistons' lead to two. Toronto would get no closer though and Detroit took a 69-64 lead into the fourth.

NOTES: Canadian Stacey Dales was working for ESPN as a sideline reporter. Dales, from Brockville, Ont., also plays for WNBA's Chicago Sky. . . . Friday's game was the first of three straight at home. The Raptors host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, then Philadelphia on Jan. 9. . . . The Pistons haven't lost since an 80-77 defeat in Houston on Dec. 12.

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• Jan.4/08

[TheFlight1]

raptors are doing better this year, but detroit is still better then them by far.

[raptorzz101]

i agree... but styll its annoying.... but hes bin coming bak lately... good sign hopefully

[raptorzz101]

i dont even no wth ur saying.... obviously he's inconsistant.. so wth are u saying.... many europeans come into teh nba but be consistant... n talkin bout 2guard// wack man

[MuniMillano87]

i think its that european mentality man, just need his ass tobe more aggressive in the paint for boards and scoring. hes not a 2guard. someone please tell em.

[TheFlight1]

yeah detroit!!

[BlackJays]

it's only his second year, don't give up on the dude so fast.

[raptorzz101]

barghani is so bad.... look at last year compared to this year... he has no shot any more,,, his rebounds are so low for a 7 footer,.. my opinion this guy should be traded.... wont be or will never be a nowitzki for anytime soon ( maybe like 10 years)

[nello83]

Bargnani is the most italian hope!!..C'mon Andrea!!

[mirrornick]

Raptors are the best! period! bargnani is the raptors hope!

[thug4lifetc]

what do u expect detroit is number one team in the nba currently and we put up a good fight even though we got tired out at the last quarter, altough thats not excusse we got a get better if we are going to make the playoffs and thanx for uploading keep up the good work!