The Canadian Press
Lori Ewing
TORONTO–Kyle Lowry is worried.
The Toronto Raptors had just coughed up a 16-point fourth-quarter lead in a 102-101 to the Detroit Pistons–their 10th loss in 14 games–and a livid Lowry unleashed his frustration in a funereal post-game dressing room yesterday.
“I’m starting to get worried, yeah,” Lowry said.
“It’s not going the way we’re supposed to be going and things aren’t changing, so yeah, I’m starting to get worried.”
DeMar DeRozan scored 26 points for the Raptors (32-23), who fell apart over the game’s final few minutes. Jonas Valanciunas added 17 points and nine rebounds, while DeMarre Carroll and Lowry added 15 points apiece.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 21 points, including a game-winning three-pointer with 13.2 seconds left. Tobias Harris topped Detroit (26-29) with 24 points.
In Toronto’s first game in four days, the well-rested Raptors raced out to the early lead and were up by as many as 16 points in the third quarter.
The Raptors took an 82-66 advantage into the fourth quarter and looked destined for an easy victory.
But the Pistons whittled away at the gap, and when Ish Smith scored on a floating jumper with five minutes to play, it pulled Detroit to within just five points.
Andre Drummond scored on a put-back lay-up a minute later, and it was suddenly a three-point game.
The Raptors were up by five points with 1:23 to play, but Caldwell-Pope scored on back-to-back baskets–his second was his big three-pointer from right in front of the Raptors’ bench–that gave Detroit a 102-101 lead with 13 seconds to play.
DeRozan’s shot at the buzzer bounced off the rim.
In other NBA action yesterday, the Timberwolves mauled the Bulls 117-89; the Knicks beat the Spurs 94-90; and the Kings conquered the Pelicans 105-99.
