The set-up: The 47-31 Toronto Raptors are tied with the Wizards and both teams have four games remaining, as they battle for the East's No. 3 seed. Toronto travels to Detroit on Wednesday to take on the 35-42 Pistons, whose playoff chances are hanging by a thread. The Pistons were last on the court in Friday's three-point OT at Milwaukee and with just five games remaining, find themselves 2 1/2 games out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto: The Raptors have played well despite PG Lowry's absence and had won eight of nine before getting thumped by 18 points last night in Indiana. DeMar DeRozan (27.3 & 5.3) scored 27 points against the Pacers but was 0-for-2 from three-point range, playing a small part in Toronto's 5-for-23 performance from beyond the arc. Forward Serge Ibaka was the primary culprit, missing all six of his three-point attempts! The Raptors had only 11 assists on 34 baskets, a sign they could really use Lowry (22.8-4.7-6.9) as the season winds down. Lowry (wrist) has participated in practice and is hoping to return to the lineup soon.

Detroit: PG Reggie Jackson (14.5 & 5.2 APG)) is expected to miss his fifth straight game due to fatigue and physical issues (knee) and the Pistons know time is running out. "Right now, you continue to fight," head coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters Monday. "We know the deal. ... We pretty much have to go undefeated, and we need a couple of teams to lose three more games. It's not easy, but nothing's impossible in this league."

The pick: Detroit is 24-15 at home, compared to just 11-27 on the road and comes in well-rested (hasn't played since Friday). No way Toronto shoots as poorly as it did last night and with this total opening under 200, the Over is a 10* play.