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Pistons pay a visit to Portland

Nov 9, 2010 - 3:50 PM (Sports Network) - A rejuvenated Detroit Pistons club kicks off a four-game west coast road swing in the Rose City tonight when they meet the Portland Trail Blazers.

After losing the first five games of its season Detroit has won two straight, the latest of which was a 102-97 triumph over Golden State on Sunday. Richard Hamilton finished with 27 points and sank two big free throws with 13 seconds left in that one, helping to secure the win.

Rodney Stuckey, who was benched for most of the second half last Wednesday at Atlanta for ignoring head coach John Kuester and subsequently benched on Friday against the Bobcats, returned to the lineup and added 21 points, nine assists and five rebounds for the Pistons. Charlie Villanueva had 16 points and 10 boards in the victory.

Detroit, which is 0-3 on the road so far this season, will also face the LA Clippers, Sacramento and Golden State on the current trip.

The Blazers, meanwhile, are coming off their worst loss of the year, a 121-96 drubbing on Sunday at the hands of the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. Pau Gasol recorded his fourth career triple-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in that one.

Andre Miller had 20 points to pace the Blazers, who were coming off Saturday's win against Toronto. Nicolas Batum had 17 points in the setback.

"They're playing great basketball," Blazers head coach Nate McMillan said of the Lakers. "They're leading the league in scoring. They came out and jumped on us. We had heavy legs tonight."

Portland has won four straight over the Pistons and five of six overall.