Calderon returns to Toronto with 19 points as Pistons defeat Raptors 108-98

TORONTO – Jose Calderon had 19 points and nine assists in a triumphant return to Toronto as the Detroit Pistons rallied to a 108-98 win Monday that eliminated the Raptors from playoff contention.

Greg Monroe had 24 points for the struggling Pistons (25-50), who won for only the second time in 15 games.

Rudy Gay poured in 34 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 17 points and six boards for the Raptors (27-47), who have dropped seven of eight despite a 99-82 win against Calderon in Detroit on Friday.

It was Calderon’s first game back since being traded in late January. The longtime Raptor was given a brief standing ovation after he was introduced before the game. He smiled and waved to the 17,115 in attendance at Air Canada Centre.

Calderon got a longer ovation midway through first quarter after a video tribute, but he was focused in the midst of a Pistons timeout huddle and could hardly acknowledge the outpouring of adulation.

The Spaniard was instrumental in Detroit’s fourth quarter comeback. The Raptors saw their four-point lead disappear early in the final frame as Pistons reserve Jonas Jerebko of Sweden poured in four points before Khris Middleton put Detroit ahead 83-81 with a reverse layup, forcing Toronto coach Dwane Casey to call time.

It didn’t do much good as Calderon connected on a two and Middleton did the same to give the Pistons their biggest lead of the game, 90-81 at 7:42.

Toronto came alive to go on a 13-3 run with two straight DeRozan buckets and a Gay three, making it a 96-94 game with three minutes to play.

But Detroit wouldn’t go away, as Rodney Stuckey hit a three followed by Jerebko’s two from the corner and once again the Pistons led 101-94 with 2:29 to play. The Raps cut the lead to five with a minute to play but didn’t get any closer.

Detroit sputtered early in the third and the Raps took advantage. Gay drained a three before Valanciunas added a deuce to give Toronto a 60-54 edge. The big Lithuanian was battling fellow rookie Andre Drummond all night, but got the best of the Pistons centre with a putback to stretch the lead 70-59 midway through the third.

The Pistons didn’t hit a shot from the field until Calderon’s jumper at 4:47, but that sparked a 10-2 run and Detroit crawled back to cut the lead to 79-75 by the end of the quarter.

Calderon paced Detroit in the second, pulling down a defensive board before scoring on a layup and a contested jumper to tie the game at 35 four minutes in. Toronto’s bench came in and Sebastian Telfair knocked down two straight threes, forcing a Pistons timeout with the Raps leading 44-41. Calderon added four more points down the stretch to finish the first half with 14 points and Detroit up a point.

The first quarter was back and forth with DeRozan dropping in six points to put Toronto up 18-17 with two minutes left. The Raps then went on a 6-0 run starting with Gay’s slam, but finished the frame down 25-24 after Calderon finished a unobstructed driving layup then assisted on Monroe’s layup.

Calderon was traded on Jan. 30 along with Ed Davis as part of the deal with Memphis to bring in Gay. Calderon landed in Detroit after the Pistons sent Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye to the Grizzlies.

Calderon spent seven and half seasons with Toronto and remains the franchise’s all-time leader in assists (3,770) and free-throw percentage (.877). He also ranks second in games played (525) after being signed in 2005 by then-GM Rob Babcock as an undrafted Spanish League guard.

Toronto will next take on the Wizards at home on Wednesday night.

Notes: Toronto Blue Jays Adam Lind and Colby Rasmus watched from courtside, as did Toronto FC manager Ryan Nelsen. … The Pistons were without starting forward Jason Maxiel (eye surgery) and reserve guard Will Bynum (hand). … The Raptors were without reserve guard/forward Landry Fields, who is in Los Angeles to receive follow-up testing on his surgically repaired right elbow. Fields, in his first year with the team, missed almost two months early in the season due to elbow surgery. He’s averaging to 4.9 points and four rebounds per game.