Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) reacts after being whistled for a foul against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Detroit. | AP Photo
DETROIT — Kyle Lowry had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for a triple-double and the Toronto Raptors had an 11-0 run in the third quarter on their way to a 112-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night (Thursday morning, December 19, 2019, Philippine Time).
The Raptors were without guard Fred VanVleet because of right knee injury. Then center Marc Gasol left in the first quarter with a left hamstring strain. Toronto still had enough firepower to handle the Pistons.
Detroit allowed 133 points in a loss to Washington on Monday night. The Pistons got frontcourt standouts Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond back from their injuries for this game, but they still allowed 70 points in the first half and 40 in the second quarter.
Lowry fed Serge Ibaka for a dunk with 37.4 seconds left for the assist he needed for a triple-double.
Toronto led 81-76 before its 11-point run in the third. Pascal Siakam and Ibaka had back-to-back dunks that made it 90-76, and a layup by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson pushed the lead to 16.
Even as they closed out a relatively comfortable win, however, the Raptors ended up with another injury. Norman Powell left the game with 3:17 remaining, holding onto his left shoulder.