Pistons open road trip against Raptors

Detroit, the top-seeded squad in the Eastern Conference, has won nine of its last 12 games, including Sunday’s 94-78 win over Charlotte at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Richard Hamilton poured in 24 points and Tayshaun Prince posted 23 points and six assists in the win over the Bobcats for the Pistons, who won their 14th straight home contest.

Now the Pistons will hit the road for three games. Detroit, which will visit New York and Charlotte on the trip, is 1-3 in its last four road games and 22-10 away from The Palace this season.

The Raptors have won two straight and play the first of a brief two-game homestand. On Tuesday, Chris Bosh poured in a game-high 31 points as Toronto used a brilliant fourth quarter to beat a short handed Philadelphia club, 111-97, at the Wachovia Center.

Darrick Martin added season-highs of 18 points and 12 assists in the win over the Sixers for the Raptors, while Mike James, Morris Peterson and rookie Joey Graham all netted 14 in the victory.

Toronto, which will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, is 12-19 at home this season.

The Pistons have won the first two meetings with Toronto this season — both in Auburn Hills. They posted a 117-84 triumph on November 5, then recorded a 113-106 win on December 27.

After Wednesday’s meeting, Detroit and Toronto will square off again at Air Canada Centre on April 14th.