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Raptors 101, Pistons 87
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
TORONTO — Guard DeMar DeRozan led the way with a game-high 25 points as the Toronto Raptors defeated the Detroit Pistons 101-87 Wednesday night at the Air Canada Centre.
Guard Kyle Lowry went 3 of 6 from 3-point range for 19 on the night while forward Amir Johnson was 8 of 14 from the field and 4-for-6 from the free-throw line for 20 points in the win.
The win is Toronto’s 15th in their last 19 at home and 10th victory in their last 13 overall.
The loss extends the Pistons’ (25-40) road losing streak to 10 games.
Guard Brandon Jennings had a team-high 24 while forwards Greg Monroe and Josh Smith each had 13 points for the Pistons.
The Raptors improved to 15-0 at home, and 27-2 overall, when leading after three quarters.
Toronto (36-27) opened an 18-point lead to start the third thanks to a 13-2 run led by Kyle Lowry and never looked back.
Led by Jennings and Smith, the Pistons went on an early second quarter 11-0 run tying the game 29-29.
However, Toronto, helped by seven points off the bench, took a 52-45 lead into recess.
The Raptors used an early 13-3 run, led by center Jonas Valanciunas and Johnson, to take 29-21 first quarter lead. Johnson finished the first quarter going 3-for-4 from the field while Lowry hit 2 of 3 from 3-point range.
NOTES: Detroit entered Wednesday’s game 4-10 under coach John Loyer, who was named head coach in early February. … The Pistons were three points back of the idle Atlanta Hawks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference following Tuesday’s action. … With their loss in Brooklyn on Monday, Toronto’s Atlantic Division lead over the Brooklyn Nets shrunk to three games. The Raptors have won one division title in their 18 seasons prior to this, and have not made the playoffs since 2008. … NBA legend and former Raptors player Muggsy Bogues was in attendance for the game. … Detroit plays at home Saturday vs. the Indiana Pacers. Toronto continues its’ three-game homestand Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies and concludes against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
