Trail Blazers 101 - 108 Pistons
Final
  for this game

Blazers continue long road trek in Detroit

Nov 26, 2012 - 3:50 PM (Sports Network) - The Portland Trail Blazers started their seven-game road trip on the wrong foot and look to bounce back Monday against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Blazers dropped a 98-85 decision to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday and lost for the second time in three tries since a three-game winning streak. Wesley Matthews recorded 20 points and J.J. Hickson had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

"They've got four All-Stars on the court and they know how to play," Portland coach Terry Stotts said of the Nets.

The Nets outrebounded the Blazers, 61-45.

Portland did not have star forward LaMarcus Aldridge because of a stiff back and he is questionable for Monday. Aldridge leads Portland in scoring and ranks 13th in the league in points per game, averaging 19.7 ppg.

Hickson recorded his seventh double-double of the season for a Portland squad that will also visit the Wizards, Celtics, Cavaliers, Bobcats and Pacers on the current trek.

Detroit is just 3-11 on the season and winless (0-8) against teams from the Western Conference. In fact, the Pistons have lost 12 in a row to the West dating back to last season.

In Sunday's 121-100 road loss to the New York Knicks, Brandon Knight scored a team-high 21 points, Charlie Villanueva netted 17 and Kyle Singler added 16 points for the Pistons, who got 12 points and seven assists from Greg Monroe.

"It's disappointing," Pistons coach Lawrence Frank said. "How many minutes of defense did we play? I don't know, but I know it's not nearly good enough."

The Pistons made 47.4 percent of their shots and committed 20 turnovers for 33 New York points.

Detroit won the only meeting with Portland last season, a 94-91 victory at The Palace on Jan. 21, but the Blazers have taken six of seven and eight of the past 11 matchups between the two teams.






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