Just when you think it couldn’t possibly get worse for the Detroit Pistons this season, they demonstrate that we need to broaden our view.
The Toronto Raptors limped into the Palace having lost their last four games. They’ve lost in 13 of their last 16 visits to Auburn Hills. But apparently, when they play the Pistons, you just throw out the record books.
After going toe-to-toe in the first quarter, the Pistons exploded for 43 points in the second and went into halftime with a 72-53 lead. Detroit even hung tough in the third quarter and looked as if they might hold the Raptors off. But the Pistons completely melted down in the fourth, and Toronto took advantage.
The Raptors outscored the Pistons 37-17 in the final quarter, fueled largely by sharp shooting from Jerryd Bayless and Andrea Bargnani.
Bayless scored 31 points for the game on 10-of-12 shooting from the field (and 10-of-12 free throw shooting, as well), along with seven assists. His three-pointer with less than 1:21 left in the game finally gave the Raptors the lead, and they never gave it back. That completed the largest comeback in their franchise history.
Bargnani added 22 for Toronto, which included 4-of-6 shooting from three-point range. Leandro Barbosa also scored 22 points and dished out seven assists.
Rodney Stuckey and Ben Wallace each scored 23 points to lead the Pistons. Wallace also grabbed 14 rebounds. Charlie Villanueva added 17 points for Detroit.
The Pistons have now lost four straight games, and 10 of their last 12. Saturday’s loss drops them to 7-18 overall (which includes a 5-6 home record) and a last-place standing in the Central Division. Only New Jersey and Washington have worse records in the Eastern Conference.
Detroit is off until Tuesday night when the Atlanta Hawks visit the Palace.