Toronto @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 26, 2018 ) Detroit 94, Toronto 123

The Toronto Raptors will try to increase their lead atop the Eastern Conference when they put a five-game winning streak on the line at the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. A strong fourth quarter led the Raptors to a 106-90 win over Atlanta at home Tuesday night, giving Toronto a season high-tying two-game lead in the East.

"We're trying to be one of those teams that takes care of business whenever possible and that will set you up for better standings in the long run," Toronto guard Fred VanVleet, who had seven assists Tuesday, told reporters of his team's ability to lock down and avoid a letdown against a last-place team. "Anytime we're favored or whatever we're trying to not take anything for granted or overlook anyone." The Pistons have lost three straight for the third time in less than a month and are in danger of falling out of playoff contention. They sit 4 1/2 games behind eighth-place Miami with 18 to play - 10 of which will take place on the road - and coach Stan Van Gundy is aiming to hit the reset button before the difficult stretch run. "It's hard to come in and tell a team, 'We've got to make more shots.'" Van Gundy told the media at Tuesday's practice. "Our focus today was on the things we can control every night. Getting back on defense, getting matched up, pulling in and taking the roll man, blocking guys out, setting screens, moving the ball. That stuff you can do every night and we're not doing them consistently."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, TSN 4/5 (Toronto), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (46-17): DeMar DeRozan led the way with 25 points in Tuesday's win while four others scored in double figures for Toronto, which improved its NBA-best home record to 27-5. C.J. Miles finished with 14 points and is averaging 15.3 points in 22 minutes over the last three games while making 12-of-27 from 3-point range. Kyle Lowry, who matched DeRozan with a team-high 20 points in a 123-94 win over Detroit on Feb. 26, dipped to four points against Atlanta but handed out seven assists against zero turnovers

ABOUT THE PISTONS (29-35): Detroit once again struggled to find production beyond the Blake Griffin-Andre Drummond combination Monday. The two big men put up a collective 40 points on 15-of-27 shooting against Cleveland, compared to 50 points on 19-of-60 for the 10 other players to appear in the game. Some help might soon be on the way in the form of guard Reggie Jackson, who could return to practice this weekend as he rehabs a sprained ankle that has kept him out since Dec. 26.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Raptors SF OG Anunoby (ankle) has missed three straight games and PG Delon Wright (toe) left Tuesday's game and did not return.

2. Pistons SF Stanley Johnson (back) sat out Tuesday's practice and is questionable for this one.

3. The Raptors have scored at least 100 points in 16 straight games, which is tied for the franchise record.

PREDICTION: Raptors 108, Pistons 103