After splitting their season series with Detroit the last two years, Toronto won just one of four games in 2001-02 against the Pistons. Rick Carlisle’s Pistons drew first blood after Toronto returned from a long road trip. Although the Raptors answered that with a win in front of Detroit fans at the Palace in January, the Pistons came back with two wins in February. Those wins came four days apart during the Raptors 13-game losing streak.

GAME ONE

November 20, 2001 at Air Canada Centre
Detroit Pistons 88, Toronto Raptors 84

The Raptors dropped their first regular season game at Air Canada Centre since April 1, 2001, falling in a close game to the Pistons. Vince Carter scored 13 of his game-high 28 points in the first quarter, shooting 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Jerry Stackhouse and Ben Wallace each netted eight points as Detroit and Toronto were locked at 24-24 through 12 minutes but Detroit led 48-43 at halftime. The Raptors shot 6-of-10 from downtown in the first half to keep them in the game and finished the night at 11-for-19. Detroit managed 13 points in the third quarter and Toronto took a 65-61 lead into the fourth. Clifford Robinson netted nine points in the last stanza, including Detroit's final four points of the game. Hakeem Olajuwon collected his second straight double-double and had season highs in rebounds (20) and minutes (43).

Game Commentary | Game Recap | Box Score

Taking a charge on Vince Carter, the Pistons Ben Wallace demonstrates why he is a top candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Ron Turenne, NBAE/Getty Images

GAME TWO

January 15, 2002 at The Palace of Auburn Hills
Toronto Raptors 92, Detroit Pistons 90

Jerry Stackhouse’s game-high 38 points were not enough to beat the Raptors as Dell Curry scored seven of his 12 points in the fourth quarter to help pace Toronto to a 92-90 win. Stackhouse scored 14 points in the opening frame but Toronto shot 50 per cent from the field as both teams battled to a 25-25 tie after 12 minutes. Keon Clark scored 13 of his 15 points in the second quarter and the Raptors led 54-44 at halftime. The Pistons got another 14 points from Stackhouse in the third. Detroit out rebounded Toronto 15-6 in the third frame led by Ben Wallace who grabbed six of his 18 boards in the quarter. The Pistons led 77-75 heading into the last stanza. Both teams struggled in the last 12 minutes, combining for a 31.7 per cent shooting efficiency. Carter led the Raptors with 24 points and Chris Childs dished nine assists.

Game recap | Box Score

GAME THREE

February 18, 2002 at The Palace of Auburn Hills

Detroit Pistons 89, Toronto Raptors 76

Toronto dropped its fifth straight game, losing 89-76 in Detroit. The Pistons shot 58.8 per cent from the field in the first quarter, led by Ben Wallace who netted eight points and shot 4-4 from the floor in the first frame. Jon Barry came off the Pistons bench and scored nine points in the second quarter. The Pistons ended the first half on a 13-4 run to take a 50-39 halftime lead. The Raptors trailed by as many as 17 points in the third quarter. Tracy Murray scored all nine of his points in the fourth quarter coming off the Raptors bench. Clark collected a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, as did Antonio Davis with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Davis tied a franchise record with 10 offensive rebounds. The Raptors shot only 46.2 per cent from the line, setting a season low.

Game recap | Box score

GAME FOUR

February 22, 2002 at Air Canada Centre
Detroit 80, Toronto Raptors 72

Toronto dropped its third of the year to the Pistons, losing 80-72 at Air Canada Centre. Detroit started strong shooting 50.0 per cent in the first to take a 24-12 lead after one quarter of play. Toronto rallied in the second stanza outscoring Detroit 24-20 as Curry scored five of his bench-high 14 points. Detroit had a 44-36 lead at the end of the first half. The Raptors continued to chip away at the Piston’s lead despite shooting 0-5 from the charity strip in the third quarter because the Pistons shot only 28.6 per cent in the quarter. Detroit rebounded however, in the final stanza shooting 57.9 per cent, outscoring the Raptors 23-18 to preserve the win. Davis collected a double-double with team-highs of 17 points and 13 rebounds. Cliff Robinson paced the Pistons with 21 points.

Game Commentary | Game recap | Box score