NBA scores: Pistons losing streak swells to 6 games after loss to lowly Raptors

The Detroit Pistons continue to play their way out of even the most far-fetched playoff scenarios, which is a shame because it's only the middle of December and the bottom half of the Eastern Conference is pretty pathetic. Even so, it's clear the Pistons aren't ready to challenge for even a spot in the lowest rungs of the postseason tournament. Detroit has lost six straight games and eight of its last 10 overall, pushing the season record to 7-21.

The week opened with a disappointing loss to the red-hot Los Angeles Clippers. The Pistons held their own for three quarters, but Chris Paul and company made a 25-16 surge in the final period to come away with an 88-76 victory. Blake Griffin punctuated the win with a pair of breakaway dunks in the final minute, but that wasn't the biggest slap in the face the Pistons endured this week.

The Toronto Raptors have suffered through a nightmare season, but on Wednesday night they played from the front for most of the second half and dispatched the Pistons to earn their eighth win in 2012. Greg Monroe did the heavy lifting for the Pistons (35 points on 14-of-22 shooting, 10 rebounds), but Rodney Stuckey was the only other Pistons player to score in double digits (13 points on 12 shots). Detroit had a chance to make it a two-point game in the final minute, but a botched post entry pass to Monroe effectively ended the night and put a stamp on Detroit's sixth straight loss.

Detroit now owns the fourth-worst record in the NBA, ahead of only the New Orleans Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards.