The Toronto Raptors try to go into the All-Star break on a high note this evening when they welcome the Detroit Pistons to Air Canada Centre.
The Raptors, though, come into tonight's tilt riding a four-game losing streak after an embarrassing 98-91 loss to the woeful Charlotte Bobcats on Friday.
DeMar DeRozan had 24 points to lead Toronto, but just six after halftime as he got into foul trouble. Leandro Barbosa added 16 points off the bench but the Raptors fell to 1-7 in their last eight games.
"Totally disappointed," said Raptors coach Dwane Casey. "We didn't focus well at the start."
Charlotte had been mired in a franchise-worst 16-game losing streak and entered the game having won just one time in 16 road games on the year.
"It cannot happen," said Jose Calderon. "We cannot just can't come out here at home and be flat like that We have to play good against every team. We have to get better at it. We have four days to get better at it and try to get a win against Detroit and go into the All-Star break."
Detroit, though, has won three straight and seven of the last 12 in the series, including four of the last six north of the border.
The Pistons saw a three-game winning streak come to an end on Tuesday, as they dropped a 101-100 decision to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Brandon Knight paced Detroit with 24 points and Greg Monroe finished with a double-double, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds as the Pistons fell for only the third time in their last 10 games.
Detroit actually led by as many as 17 in this one but surrendered a season- worst 35 points in the fourth quarter.
"I thought they took it from us," said Pistons head coach Lawrence Frank. "You have to give them credit. I don't think we gifted them the win. I don't think we didn't compete and didn't play hard. I don't think we gave them the game. I think you have to give credit to Irving and those guys."
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