Bargnani, Bosh lead Raptors past Pistons
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 | 11:44 PM ET
CBC Sports
Andrea Bargnani had 22 points and 12 rebounds for his first double-double of the season and Chris Bosh scored 25 points as the Toronto Raptors beat the Detroit Pistons 110-99 on Wednesday night.
Hedo Turkoglu added 16 points and Antoine Wright had 12 for the Raptors, who had lost seven of their previous eight games against the Pistons.
Toronto became the first team this season to score more than 100 points against Detroit, which came in second in the league behind Boston in points allowed at 85.3.
Bosh had eight rebounds, falling two shy of his fourth double-double in four games but was pleased to see the seven-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."
Ben Gordon had a season-high 30 points, and former Raptor Charlie Villanueva and Will Bynum each scored 16 for the Pistons, who have lost three of four. Rodney Stuckey added 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Ahead 85-77 to start the fourth, Toronto couldn't hold the lead. Detroit rookie Austin Daye opened the quarter with a three-pointer, sparking a 14-3 run.
Bynum capped it with a three, 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 missed two free throws, Jose Calderon restored Toronto's lead with a three-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.
Jarrett Jack made 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.
"Our bench was outstanding," Raptors 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."
