Detroit Pistons overcame LaMarcus Aldridge; Defeat Portland Trail Blazers 108-101: NBA Recap
Seven Pistons scored in double figures as Detroit handled the Portland Trail Blazers 108-101 Monday night at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Pistons’ second-year point guard Brandon Knight outplayed the Blazers’ rookie sensation Damian Lillard on the night as he led Pistons with 26 points; Greg Monroe scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to post a double-double
while rookie Kyle Singler had the game of his life as he got his first double-double of the career with 16 points and 10 rebounds, going 3 out of 3 from the three point range.
LaMarcus Aldridge came back after missing out the last game with a stiff back to post a season high 32 points and hauled down 10 rebounds, Wesley Matthews scored 19 points while Damian Lillard was kept to 12 points and 7 assists
on the night, his lowest points this season.
"You always want to take care of your home court. When teams come here, they have to know they're going to be in for a fight and play close to a perfect game to come out with a win." commented Brandon Knight after the favourable
result.
The Pistons shot an impressive 60 percent from the three point range compared to 31.6 percent shooting by the Blazers from downtown.
Portland were up 6-5 early before a 10-0 charge by the Pistons put them ahead at 15-6. Greg Monroe made a layup to push their lead to 19-10. They Pistons kept up the pressure and were leading 28-19 by the end of the period.
The Blazers got a better start in the second period as they reduced the deficit down to 28-32 early in the period. They kept up the good work with an Aldridge layup to tie the score at 35. Trail Blazers were up 41-38 at one stage
before Detroit came back late in the period as they went into halftime leading 54-49.
J.J. Hickson shot a free throw in the early goings of the third period that left the Blazers trailing by only 54-57. The Pistons responded immediately though and raced to 65-54 lead on the back of an 8-0 run. The Blazers had a
7-0 run later in the period that made it a 4 point game on 71-75; however the Pistons finished the third period strong, and they were up 82-73 heading into the final period.
Charlie Villanueva knocked down a three pointer early in the fourth quarter to put the Pistons up 90-77. A five point run by the Blazers could only make it 85-95 with 5:32 left on the regulation. Later on, an 8 point scoring spree
by the Blazers reduced the deficit down to 95-101 and it was the closest they got in the final period.
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