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  Tuesday, Oct. 31 8:00pm ET
Miffed Stackhouse nets career-high 44
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

TORONTO (AP) -- Jerry Stackhouse took the preseason predictions about the Detroit Pistons personally.

Stackhouse
Stackhouse

Stackhouse scored a career-high 44 points as the Detroit Pistons began the post-Grant Hill era with a 104-95 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.

"Just keep saying what you've been saying," Stackhouse told reporters. "We're not that good. We just had a good start. We'll see. Time will tell."

Stackhouse, upset that Detroit is being taken lightly heading into the new season, scored 19 points in the third quarter and the Pistons led by as many as 19 in the period.

With Hill having joined the Orlando Magic, Stackhouse has become the Pistons' leader.

"Last year was a situation where it was kind of a duo thing with Grant Hill and myself," Stackhouse said. "Now, I think we're really a true team where we have efforts out of all the guys that make up a winning team. It's very early so hopefully we come out of this with some good confidence and we can start dispelling some of those myths about the kind of team we have without Grant Hill."

Vince Carter had 26 points for Toronto, but fouled out with 1:19 remaining.

Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace flushes home two of his nine points for the Raptors. He also corralled in 12 rebounds.

Stackhouse and Carter, who both played at North Carolina, guarded each other for most for the game.

"He hit shots. It was his night tonight. My hat is off to him," Carter said.

A 3-pointer by rookie Morris Peterson brought Toronto within seven points with 2:50 left, but Stackhouse assisted on a layup by Chucky Atkins to make it 99-90. After a steal by Peterson, Kevin Willis' layup made it 99-92. Carter committed his sixth foul as Stackhouse went up for a 6-foot jumper.

Stackhouse's two free throws gave Detroit a 101-92 lead with just over a minute remaining.

"Jerry was sensational. He was unbelievable at times," Detroit coach George Irvine said. "When Toronto was doubling him at the end, he was looking to make plays."

Stackhouse also had five rebounds and three assists. Just before he converted a fastbreak dunk in the third quarter, he looked over his shoulder at Carter.

"Me and Vince play all the time," Stackhouse said. "This game is just one of many."

Atkins added 21 points and seven assists for Detroit.

Stackhouse scored 16 points and Atkins had 13 as Detroit led 56-46 at halftime.

"I've never played with a two-guard like Jerry," Atkins said. "He's the leader of this team."

Game notes
Stackhouse's previous career high was 40 against Denver last March 8. ... Stackhouse made nine of 10 free throws and was 17-for-35 from the field. ... Peterson and Detroit's Mateen Cleaves, who led Michigan State to the NCAA title, played their first NBA game. The natives of Flint, Mich., have known each other since they were 7. "I think the whole city of Flint came here. It was like, the last person out of town, please turn out the lights," said Peterson, who finished with 14 points. Cleaves had 4. ... Carter and Charles Oakley have been named co-captains by coach Lenny Wilkens. ... Wilkens, the NBA's winningest coach, lost his Toronto debut. ... Antonio Davis of the Raptors played in his 500th game and celebrated his 32nd birthday.

 


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RECAPS
Charlotte 106
Atlanta 82

Cleveland 86
New Jersey 82

Orlando 97
Washington 86

Dallas 97
Milwaukee 93

Philadelphia 101
New York 72

Detroit 104
Toronto 95

Sacramento 100
Chicago 81

Minnesota 106
Houston 98

San Antonio 98
Indiana 85

Utah 107
LA Clippers 94

Golden State 96
Phoenix 94

LA Lakers 96
Portland 86

Vancouver 94
Seattle 88

AUDIO/VIDEO
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 Jerry Stackhouse catches fire against Toronto with a career-high 44 points.
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 Vince Carter starts his highlight reel in the Raptors' opener against the Pistons.
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RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1