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Damian Lillard had 28 points and 9 assists, LaMarcus Aldridge had 22 points and 7 rebounds, and the Portland Trail Blazers pounded the Detroit Pistons, 118-99 Friday night at Moda Center.
Detroit seemingly could not miss to start the game, with Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond enforcing their will on the offensive glass. When Portland needed a quick spark, it came in the form of Lillard. Lillard shot 5-of-7 in the quarter for 13 points and Portland built an 11 point advantage. Aldridge had 10, Arron Afflalo had 6, and the Blazers led 35-24 after one.
The Pistons got within six in the second quarter versus the Portland bench, but the reserve big men would not be denied. Meyers Leonard had 8 in the quarter on 3-of-3 shooting, Chris Kaman added 6, and the Blazers kicked out to a lead as large as 18. Robin Lopez contributed seven when he returned from his rest, and Portland led by 18 at halftime.
The Blazers led by as many as 21 in the third quarter as Aldridge scored ten in the period, while Afflalo and Lillard added five. Detroit cut the lead down to as little as 12 behind a three point barrage from Caron Butler, and the play of Jodie Meeks. The Pistons focused on forcing CJ McCollum to chase down the speedy Meeks, resulting in Meeks scoring 12 on the night versus McCollum. Despite Detroit's rally, Portland led by 17 after three.
Kaman scored six quick points in the final period to hold off a Detroit rally. He would lead finish with 14 points and 6 rebounds. Lillard checked back in halfway through the quarter and immediately sent the game into Lillard Time, hitting back-to-back threes to put the lead to 20 and the game out of reach.
Late with the game out of reach, Shawne Williams antagonized Leonard and Joel Freeland, starting a brief scuffle. Williams headbutted Freeland, and Freeland headbutted him back. Both Williams and Freeland were ejected.
Leonard finished with a season-high 15 points and 7 rebounds to lead the bench. Afflalo had 15, while Lopez had 11 points, though just 3 rebounds. Steve Blake did not score but had seven assists.
Post-Game Reaction
Portland's 28 home wins (28-6) are tied with Golden State for most in the Western Conference. #PORvsDET
— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) March 14, 2015
The Trail Blazers have now won five straight games against the Pistons and 11 of the past 13 meetings. #PORvsDET
— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) March 14, 2015
Damian Lillard is first Trail Blazer to score 28+ points on 12 FG attempts or fewer since Wesley Matthews on April 2, 2012 (33 pts, 12 FGA).
— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) March 14, 2015
Damian Lillard is the fourth NBA player with 28+ points on 12 FG attempts or fewer this season (R. Gay, P. Millsap, P. Pierce). #PORvsDET
— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) March 14, 2015
Portland's 57.5% field goal shooting tonight marks a season high and the 19th-best mark by a team in the NBA this season. #PORvsDET
— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) March 14, 2015
"I liked the way the fans stood up for Joel." Coach Stotts #Blazers
— Amy Schwartz (@TheAmySchwartz) March 14, 2015
"It was more of a head push." Stotts on Freeland's response to Williams head butt.
— Erik Gundersen (@blazerbanter) March 14, 2015
"Put me in the moment again and I'd do the same thing." -- Joel Freeland
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) March 14, 2015
"I would've done the same thing for anyone on this team." Joel Freeland #Blazers
— Amy Schwartz (@TheAmySchwartz) March 14, 2015
"What was I supposed to do?" Joel Freeland #Blazers
— Amy Schwartz (@TheAmySchwartz) March 14, 2015
"It's not the best thing in the world coming in for two minutes and getting ejected, obviously, but it happened." Freeland
— Amy Schwartz (@TheAmySchwartz) March 14, 2015
"We're a team. A team has each others backs." Freeland #Blazers
— Amy Schwartz (@TheAmySchwartz) March 14, 2015
Stotts on Blake's line tonight: "I've never seen a line like that."
— Erik Gundersen (@blazerbanter) March 14, 2015
Closest thing to Steve Blake's All-0s and 7 ast line from tonight came in 2005 when Jose Calderon had all 0s and 7 assists, but he had 2 TOs
— Mike Richman (@mikegrich) March 14, 2015
Blake told me he knew he hadn't attempted a shot, but didn't actively pass up shots. "I'm always looking to pass first"
— Mike Richman (@mikegrich) March 14, 2015
Asked about his 30-foot 3-ptr, Lillard had no idea it was that long."I don't remember being that far away. The ball just felt good" #Blazers
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) March 14, 2015
Said Lillard: "I got some shots to go early, and it continued the whole game. " Here's his chart. Dropped 28 #Blazers pic.twitter.com/7HX1C9lDRH
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) March 14, 2015
Meanwhile, Freeland said he was just telling Shawne Williams it was "pointless" to act like he acted with Leonard. Game was lost, accept it
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) March 14, 2015
Heckuva game by my guy @MeyersLeonard11 Gotta find him a favorite muppet tho #MineIsGonzo #RIPCITY #NeverSayDie pic.twitter.com/9HoevtGztZ
— Robin Lopez (@rolopez42) March 14, 2015