DETROIT (AP) — Pascal Siakam scored 30 points and Serge Ibaka added 21 to lift the Toronto Raptors to their 10th straight victory, 105-92 over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.
Siakam made his first five shots from the field and scored 13 points in the first quarter, when the Raptors quickly built their lead into double digits. They were mostly in control after that, handing a Pistons team that was missing Blake Griffin its fifth loss in a row.
The victory clinched a trip to the All-Star Game for Raptors coach Nick Nurse and his staff, who will coach Team Giannis.
The Raptors (35-14) are assured the best record in the Eastern Conference among teams with an eligible head coach through this Sunday’s deadline. Milwaukee has the top mark in the East but Mike Budenholzer is ineligible because he coached in the All-Star Game last year.
Toronto is one win shy of its franchise record for consecutive victories.
The Pistons are without Griffin (left knee surgery), and Luke Kennard (bilateral knee tendinitis) also missed the game. Andre Drummond had 20 points and 20 rebounds for Detroit, but much of that came when the Pistons were well behind.
Toronto led by 16 in the first half. It was 78-69 after three quarters, and then the Raptors went on an 18-5 run to start the fourth — to the delight of their many fans who attended the game just a few minutes from the U.S.-Canada border.
Drummond was scoreless in the first half but finished with his 41st game of at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. That’s four shy of Bob Lanier’s franchise record, but it’s not clear if Drummond has time to reach that mark. He’s been the subject of trade speculation.
Detroit guard Derrick Rose made a late layup to finish with 21 points, his 14th straight game with at least 20.
SELECTED
Detroit’s Svi Mykhailiuk was picked to play in the Rising Stars game Feb. 14 during All-Star weekend in Chicago. The 6-foot-8 Mykhailiuk, in his second season as a pro, has shown some promise for the Pistons. He scored 13 points Friday.
TIP-INS
Raptors: Marc Gasol (left hamstring tightness), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (right ankle sprain) and Malcolm Miller (neck strain) missed the game. ... Toronto won 11 games in a row from Feb. 26 to March 16, 2018, and in January 2016.
Pistons: Detroit was outscored 66-28 in the paint.
UP NEXT
Raptors: Host Chicago on Sunday.
Pistons: Host Denver on Sunday.
