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Pistons and Raptors clash in Auburn Hills

Mar 16, 2011 - 2:57 PM (Sports Network) - The Detroit Pistons are back home and will commence a brief two-game residency tonight versus the Toronto Raptors from The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Pistons lost all three games on their recent road trip through San Antonio, Oklahoma City and Denver, and are coming off Saturday's 131-101 drubbing at the hands of the Nuggets in the Rocky Mountains. J.R. Smith led eight Denver players in double-figures with a season-high 31 points. Denver nailed 18 three-pointers to bury the Pistons.

Chris Wilcox scored 21 points and Richard Hamilton posted 15 for Detroit, losers in 11 of its last 14 games. Ben Gordon had 13 points in defeat.

"The lack of communication hurt," Pistons coach John Kuester said. "We talked about making adjustments but there were a number of times where guys didn't communicate."

Detroit will also host New York at The Palace and is 16-17 at home this season. The Pistons are still fighting for a postseason spot and currently sit six games off the final playoff berth in the East.

Toronto has lost four of five games and suffered a 95-90 setback versus Charlotte on Sunday.

Andrea Bargnani had 17 points and Leandro Barbosa scored 15 off the bench for Toronto, which went 1-2 on a three-game homestand.

"We didn't have enough guys playing well offensively," Raptors head coach Jay Triano said. "The guys who normally score for us didn't and our top free-throw shooters weren't able to do it."

Triano's squad is mired in a 13-game road losing streak and hasn't won as the guest since Jan. 5 at Cleveland. Raptors forward Amir Johnson is expected to miss Wednesday's game with ankle issues and has been out the last two games.

The Raptors are only 5-26 as the visitor this season.

Detroit has won two of three meetings with Toronto this season. The Raptors, however, have won three straight trips to The Palace of Auburn Hills after losing their previous 11 games there.