TORONTO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl poured in a season-high 25 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in a 99-95 loss to the Detroit Pistons in Friday's NBA Cup group match.

RJ Barrett contributed 22 points, six rebounds and seven assists in Toronto's sixth consecutive loss. The Raptors fall to a league-worst 2-11 in the season and 0-2 in Eastern Conference Group B of the in-season tournament.

Toronto entered the fourth quarter up 78-73 before allowing Detroit to go on a 20-7 run to take control of the game and never relinquish it from there.

Despite the loss, Toronto's head coach Darko Rajakovic is proud of his side's continued improvements since the season and credits Poeltl as a big reason for the team's progress.

"Right now, we depend on him a lot. He needs to do a lot for us offensively and defensively," said Rajakovic.

In his ninth NBA season, the 29-year-old Austrian averaged personal bests in points (14.8), rebounds (11.6), field goals made (6.5), field goals attempted (11.5), and free throw shooting percentage (63.2%).

"He's been rebounding the ball at his career-best and when he plays in the pocket, he is connecting with teammates and able to score and also find his teammates," Rajakovic added. "He's making huge strides for us." Enditem

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