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Pistons, Raptors clash north of the border

Apr 1, 2013 - 2:13 PM (Sports Network) - A pair of Eastern Conference teams playing out the string clash Monday night north of the border as the Toronto Raptors entertain the Detroit Pistons at Air Canada Centre.

The Raptors will play two in a row at home, where they have lost three straight and own a 17-19 record.

Toronto sustained a 109-92 setback at Washington on Sunday. Jonas Valanciunas registered 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who have lost six of their last seven games and were coming off a win at Detroit on Friday. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan scored 15 points apiece in defeat.

"I thought we came out with a relaxed disposition and didn't come out ready to go," said Raptors coach Dwane Casey. "The guys didn't look like they were ready to move their feet defensively. We had some frustration fouls which kind of set the tone for the course of the game."

The Raptors will host the Wizards on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Pistons opened a four-game road trip with Sunday's tough 95-94 loss against the Chicago Bulls.

Rodney Stuckey had a team-high 25 points off the bench and Greg Monroe added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons, losers of three straight and 13 of their last 14 games.

"This isn't a one-player problem," said Pistons coach Lawrence Frank. "This isn't a one-coach problem. This is a team problem that we all have to share the responsibility. We all want to get this right. We'll find (the answers) whether they're here on our roster now or whether it's (someone else) in the future that will play at a whole lot more competitive level. We're capable of doing a whole lot more."

Detroit is only 9-27 away from The Palace this season and has Boston and Minnesota to play on the road trip.

On the injury front for the Pistons, guard Will Bynum (hand) and forward Jason Maxiell (eye) are questionable against the Raptors. Guard Jose Calderon is probable for Monday's game in his return to Air Canada Centre.

Calderon was shipped to the Pistons a few months ago in the deal that sent Rudy Gay to the Raptors from Memphis. Calderon spent eight seasons with the Raptors and is their all-time leader in assists (3,770).

The Raptors have won two of three against the Pistons this season, but are just 3-6 in the past nine meetings. These two teams have split the last eight contests at Toronto.