TORONTO (AP)—A second-quarter surge and a big night by Andrea Bargnani(notes) 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(notes) scored 25 points and the Raptors used a 44-point second quarter to beat the Pistons 110-99 on Wednesday 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.
“We want more of that,” Bosh said. “He did a really good job on the boards tonight. That shows that if he really asserts himself on the boards, he can be a factor for us in rebounding. We need that, we need all the rebounds we can get.”
Hedo Turkoglu(notes) added 16 points and Antoine Wright(notes) had 12 for the Raptors, who had lost seven of their previous eight games against Detroit.
Ben Gordon(notes) had a season-high 30 points, former Raptors player Charlie Villanueva(notes) and Will Bynum(notes) each scored 16 for the Pistons, who have lost three of four. Rodney Stuckey(notes) 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.
“Our bench was outstanding,” coach Jay Triano said. “I thought they came in, gave us energy, they ran up and down the floor, they got us stops and deflections. That was some of the best basketball that group has played and they earned themselves minutes in the second half because of that.”
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(notes) 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(notes) missed two free throws, Jose Calderon(notes) 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.
“It just seemed like we just ran out of gas,” Villanueva said. “When you dig yourself into a hole like that, it’s tough to get out of it.”
For the second straight game, Detroit played without guard Richard Hamilton(notes) (right ankle) and forward Tayshaun Prince(notes) (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.
Gordon went 4 for 5 from the floor in the first as Detroit built a nine-point lead before Toronto closed the quarter with an 8-3 run, making it 28-24.
Jack had the highlight play of the second, using a nifty dribble to split two defenders and get into the lane, then firing an over-the-shoulder pass to Bargnani for a running dunk that gave Toronto a 43-33 lead with 8:13 left. The Raptors led 68-56 at the half.
Notes: Detroit rookie Jonas Jerebko(notes) made his second straight start. … Former Raptors forward Charles Oakley attended the game and was honored after the first quarter as part of the team’s 15th anniversary celebrations. … Toronto plays seven of its next eight on the road.
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he's a player and when aggressive really looks good...and he is an excellent defender, hopefully he will put up double digits regularly
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finally figured it out there eh 7 footer
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Last year he could not keep up the scoring pace. He went from MVP caliber to just an all star caliber
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Before with still TJ Ford around Calderon's deciency was not exposed. Now that he got the starting job, most teams try to capitalize his weakness with no trouble at all. Causing his team to struggle in defence because his teammates help him most of the time leaving their own defensive assignment open.
As the starting PG, Caldeon should find a way to improve his skills. Because win or lose it is his job to create plays for his teammates. Aside from his defence, I think he should also try to improve in his ball movement & passing. Jose loves to dribble the time too much.
Coach Triano must try to maximize his bench specially his 2nd units. Marcus Banks can be a defensive stopper if the need arises against speedy PG. And let Hedu put his point forward skills into use. Use Marco Belineli or Jarett Jack to speed up the offence, they have better court vision.
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