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The Portland Trail Blazers face the Detroit Pistons today after three precarious road wins in Florida state. They ultimately made victory easy in Motor City. Poor defense scuttled their first half, but they tightened enough to make a balanced score and yet another outrageous game from Damian Lillard saying it in the second. It’s not often that Portland has a double-digit lead in the final three minutes of the game, but they pulled it off tonight, putting five players in double digits, helping out two-thirds of their buckets and heading towards a 124-101 win. .
Lillard had 33 points and 10 assists in the win, aided by 24 from CJ McCollum plus 16 points and 3 steals from Robert Covington and 16 more off the bench from Carmelo Anthony. Portland also shot 53.3% of the arc and generated 11 robberies.
First shift
The opening period of this game will come as no surprise to anyone who has been following the Blazers in recent weeks. Damian Lillard got off to a good start, hitting two or three. CJ McCollum will follow suit, securing Portland a 30-point run without too much sweat. But the Blazers couldn’t stop Detroit inside to save their lives. Jerami Grant destroyed them at the edge with dunks, layups, chips, two-for-one coupons … it was absolutely shocking. When the Pistons hit as many as three as Portland (5 for each team), you knew the Blazers had no advantage. Detroit led 33-31 after one.
Second quarter
The second period didn’t have the punch of the first. It could have been a good defense. It could also have been a multitude of rattling and whirling open shots. Lillard missed all of his shots, hampering Portland’s offensive effort. Robert Covington stepped in, hitting two long threes and a layup. The Blazers are out of the arc; Detroit hit just 1 of 9 three runs attempted in the frame. But their internal attack remained strong. 7 of their 9 conversions came within 6 feet of the hoop. Norman Powell was not scoring, but he did provide assists and steals, helping around the edges. When the shouts were made, the Blazers called 51-52 before halftime.
Third quarter
Lillard came to life early in the third, scoring 7 points in the first 2.5 hours. It was as if he was trying to win the split, preventing another close finish against an inferior team. He had hit a three a minute later to punctuate the point. His teammates also agreed, cutting inside and passing for easy lay-ins. It was everything people expected from the team but rarely in real life. Four minutes later, Portland held a double-digit lead.
Portland’s defense tightened early in the third. They forced turnovers and contested gunfire. But the intensity diminished as the period progressed. The Blazers have neither the personnel nor the energy to support aggression for this purpose. Lillard and McCollum kept scoring points, Portland’s classic “defense”. The Blazers gave the Pistons a few turnovers, but it wasn’t fatal, especially when Carmelo Anthony came in late to score on the inside. Portland’s propensity to give up layups and fouls didn’t hurt them. Thanks to the scorers, they led 87-79 after three. Lillard had 16 in the period.
Fourth trimester
Portland kept the offensive pressure on in the fourth. Lillard and Covington stroked three, each of which made a Detroit comeback more difficult. The Pistons continued to score points, but they had to work harder for their points than the Blazers. As the period progressed, Portland’s advance not only held up, but increased. They played their starters all the way, but they also ended smoothly and in style … a rare and welcome sight.
Stay tuned for game analysis in our detailed recap!
The score of the box
Portland returns home to welcome the Milwaukee Bucks Friday at 7:00 a.m. in the Pacific.
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