Raptors at Pistons
THE STORY: The Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons are out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, but both clubs have been playing well enough to make a case for a late-season push. One team will get a boost to their postseason hopes Saturday night when the Raptors visit the Palace at Auburn Hills for the second meeting between the geographical rivals. The Raptors have won four of their last seven games, with each of the three losses in that span coming by four points or less. Detroit has been even better, improving to 10-6 in its last 16 games with a one-point win over Atlanta on Friday night.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN2, Fox Sports Detroit Plus
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (13-26): As expected, Toronto has been a much stronger team this season with star forward Andrea Bargnani in the lineup. The 7-footer is expected to return Sunday against Milwaukee after being out since Jan. 25 with a calf injury that has limited him to just 13 games. Having gone a respectable 6-7 with Bargnani in uniform, the Raptors hope his presence can help them bridge the 4 1/2-game gap between themselves and the eighth-place New York Knicks in the East playoff race.
ABOUT THE PISTONS (14-26): Detroit has found itself playing catch-up for most of the season – and all that experience has Pistons players believing they can rally every time. They were successful Friday, storming back from a nine-point deficit to beat the red-hot Hawks. “The difference now is if we get down, we fight to get back in it,” said Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince, who hit the game-winning shot with 24.3 seconds remaining. “Usually when teams hit us first, we'd have a hard time getting back into it.”
THE STORY:
1. Pistons C Greg Monroe has had five or more rebounds in 65 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NBA.
2. Raptors G DeMar DeRozan is averaging 18.8 points in six games since the All-Star break.
3. Detroit has won eight of its last 11 home games, but that won't do it much good over the rest of the month: The Pistons play nine of their next 11 games outside Michigan.