Valanciunas has 16 points, 11 rebounds as Raptors beat Pistons

SPORTS

Valanciunas has 16 points, 11 rebounds as Raptors beat Pistons

The Canadian Press Published Wednesday, January 8, 2014 10:02PM EST

Detroit Pistons forward Josh Harrellson (55) fouls Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan on his way to the hoop during fourth quarter NBA action in Toronto on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

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TORONTO -- Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points and 11 rebounds while Kyle Lowry scored 21 points as the Toronto Raptors defeated the Detroit Pistons 112-91 on Wednesday night.

The Raptors (17-17) needed strong performances from Valanciunas and Lowry. DeMar DeRozan and Amir Johnson combined to shoot 0 for 16 from the floor in the first half with the team making just 33 per cent of their field goals compared to 47 per cent shooting from the Pistons.

Brandon Jennings led the way for Detroit (14-22), scoring 22 points to go with nine assists in the loss. Andre Drummond added 16 rebounds as the Pistons lost their sixth straight.

After going up 11 midway through the second quarter, the Raptors went more than five minutes without a field goal and allowed Detroit to go on a 14-0 run to take a 54-50 lead at the half.

Things flipped in the third quarter when the Raptors outscored Detroit 34-20 while making 11 of their 22 field-goal attempts. DeRozan and Johnson were able to shake off their cold starts to help Toronto build a 10-point advantage going into the fourth.

The final quarter resembled the third as Toronto outplayed the Pistons and broke the game open with five minutes remaining and the lead up to 18. All five of Toronto's starters finished the game in double figures after the team dropped its last two contests against the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers.

DeRozan finished the game shooting just 3 for 15 from the floor, but connected on 13 of his 16 free-throw attempts to finish the game with 19 points. The 16 free throws tied a career-high.

Johnson finished the game with 10 points and 11 rebounds, Terrance Ross scored 17 points and Lowry added nine assists.

Toronto finished the game shooting 41 per cent from the floor as compared to 40 per cent for the Pistons, but the Raptors shot 91 per cent from the free-throw line, making 31 of their 34 attempts. Detroit made just 19-for-35 shots from the line.

Notes: Toronto's Tyler Hansbrough missed his fourth straight game with a left ankle sprain. ... Rodney Stuckey returned to action for the Pistons after missing three games with a sore shoulder. ... The Raptors return to the court Saturday at home to the Brooklyn Nets.