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Pistons-Raptors Preview

Jan 30, 2016 - 5:39 AM The Toronto Raptors were nearly perfect on a recent road trip. They've had absolutely no missteps thus far on a seven-game homestand.

Toronto looks to complete a perfect stay at Air Canada Centre and stretch its franchise-record winning streak to 11 games Saturday night against the Detroit Pistons.

After dropping the opener of a five-game trip at Cleveland on Jan. 4, the Raptors (31-15) reeled off wins in four straight before returning home to close out the month with seven consecutive games there.

They've won the first six of those contests with five coming by at least 10 points, including Thursday's 103-93 victory over New York. All-Stars Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan each scored 26 points, with Lowry adding 10 assists and six rebounds.

"No matter if we lose the next 10 or win the next 10, we know the way we need to play, and how we need to play in order to be successful," guard Terrence Ross told the team's official website. "This winning streak proves that we can play with anybody. We always have to push ourselves."

DeRozan has been particularly effective on the homestand, averaging 26.3 points per game.

"Words can't explain it, especially with the rough time I had last year, going down with the injury," DeRozan said of becoming an All-Star for the second time.

Lowry showed no adverse effects from a sprained left wrist suffered in Tuesday's 106-89 win over Washington. He's averaged 25.3 points on 52.3 percent shooting over the past three games.

"He looked pretty good, OK, healthy and fresh," coach Dwane Casey said. "It is still sore, but we can't dismiss the fact these young men have strung together 10, the first time in 20 years. It's not the end-all but it's an accomplishment."

Lowry is on the cusp of another achievement. His next assist will give him 1,792 and move him past Alvin Williams into sole possession of second place on the Raptors' all-time list.

Lowry was limited to five points and three assists in hist most recent matchup with Detroit, a 108-104 road loss March 24. DeRozan had 22 points and 10 rebounds in that game, and is averaging 25.5 points in his last four meetings.

The Pistons (25-22) are opening a three-game road trip after falling 114-106 to Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland on Friday.

"We've just got to swallow this one and move on to the next one," center Andre Drummond told the team's official website. "We need to do a better job of coming out prepared on these back to backs. It's not an excuse that we have a bunch of back to backs. The NBA plays back to backs, so we've got to do a better job of getting prepared and ready for these games."

Drummond had 20 points and eight rebounds Friday after getting 25 and 18 in a 110-97 win over Philadelphia two days prior. The center - who will join DeRozan and Lowry on the East All-Stars - is averaging 13.6 boards with 13.2 points over the past five against the Raptors.

Drummond was dominant against them in March, scoring 21 points with 18 rebounds.

Reggie Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were also impressive in that matchup, scoring 28 and 26 points, respectively.

Jackson, however, is coming off a 6-for-16 effort from the floor while finishing with 15 points Friday after totaling 56 over the two previous games - both Detroit wins.

The Pistons are 3-6 on the second of back to back games, losing all five on the road.