They don't have the guns and in their hearts they know it. All the Toronto Raptors can do now is hope that help is on the horizon.

Once again unable to summon the defensive intensity needed to overcome an offence that can't compete in the NBA right now, the Raptors suffered successive defeat No. 5 last night, succumbing 89-76 to the Detroit Pistons.

In the six games since a barrage of injuries began ? notably to star Vince Carter ? the Raptors haven't scored more than 85 points in any one contest. That more than anything is the reason for the team's longest losing streak of the season and a tumble into third place in the Central Division.