Post by DiamondThief on Mar 12, 2015 20:26:26 GMT -8
Detroit Pistons at Portland Trail Blazers
What: The Pistons make their lone trip to Rip City to take on the Pistons.
When: Friday, March 13 at 7 p.m. (PT).
Pistons Media: TV - Fox Sports Detroit. Radio - 105.1 FM.
Blazers Media: TV - CSNNW. Radio - Rip City Radio 620 AM.
Previous: Dec. 9 - Blazers 96, Pistons 86.
Schedule: N/A.
Note: Five of the Blazers last seven games have been televised nationally on ESPN and TNT. They won all five.
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The Pistons are 23-21, 11-20 on the road and 8-19 in inter-conference games. They are coming off a 105-98 road loss to the Warriors on March 11. They are averaging 98.1 points (20th in the NBA) and allowing 99.8 (12th). The Pistons, who have lost their last eight games, are fifth in the Central Division and 12th in the Eastern Conference.
The Blazers are 42-20, 27-6 at home and 18-6 in inter-conference games. They are coming off a 105-100 home win over the Rockets on March 11. They are averaging 102.5 points (9th in the NBA) and allowing 97.4 (7th). The Blazers, who have six of their last seven, are first in the Northwest Division and third in the Western Conference.
Pistons' Andre Drummond; Blazers' Chris Kaman
DETROIT PISTONS
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 31 Caron Butler
PF - 10 Greg Monroe
C - 0 Andre Drummond
SG - 5 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
PG - 1 Reggie Jackson
RESERVES
G - 8 Spencer Dinwiddie; John Lucas III; 20 Jodie Meeks
F - 35 Cartier Martin; 34 Quincy Miller; 22 Tayshaun Prince; 43 Anthony Tolliver; 3 Shawne Williams
C - 50 Joel Anthony
INJURY REPORT
G - 7 Brandon Jennings (leg) - out
HEAD COACH
Stan Van Gundy
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Pts - Greg Monroe 16.0
Reb - Andre Drummond 13.4
Ast - Brandon Jennings 6.6
Blk - Andre Drummond 1.8
Stl - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 1.1
FG - Andre Drummond 50.3%
FT - Jodie Meeks 92.3%
3pt - Tayshaun Prince 44.0%
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 88 Nicolas Batum
PF - 12 LaMarcus Aldridge
C - 42 Robin Lopez
SG - 4 Arron Afflalo
PG - 0 Damian Lillard
RESERVES
G - 5 Steve Blake; 23 Allen Crabbe; 3 CJ McCollum
F - 33 Alonzo Gee; 1 Dorell Wright
C - 19 Joel Freeland; 35 Chris Kaman; 11 Meyers Leonard
INJURY REPORT
G - 2 Wesley Matthews (achilles) - out
F - 33 Alonzo Gee (oral surgery) - out
HEAD COACH
Terry Stotts
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points - LaMarcus Aldridge 23.3
Rebounds - LaMarcus Aldridge 10.6
Assists - Damian Lillard 6.2
Blocks - Robin Lopez 1.6
Steals - Damian Lillard 1.4
FG - Meyers Leonard 52.9%
FT - LaMarcus Aldridge 86.8%
3pt - Meyers Leonard 46.1%
NOTE: We use a different standard than the NBA for the individual statistical leaders. Our leaders apply to players who have played at least half their teams' games this season; in this case, roughly 31 games.
ANGI'S TAKE
The Pistons have retooled themselves and are much better than their record indicates. A few have accused them of tanking, but that's obviously not the case. The Blazers are learning to live without Matthews, our for the season with a torn achilles tendon in his left leg. The Pistons are led by third-year man Drummond, who had 10 points and 15 rebounds in the first game between the teams. He pulled down a career-high 27 boards on March 11 against the Warriors. Monroe, who provides an excellent compliment to Drummond, had a team-high 22 points to go along with 10 rebounds in the Dec. 9 match up against the Blazers. Former Thunder guard Jackson starts in in place of the injured Jennings. Butler and Prince are journeymen who should be no match for Batum. Caldwell-Pope can shoot, but s often relied upon for his defense. The Blazers followed up their loss to the Timberwolves with a very solid win over the Rockets. Aldridge paced the Blazers with 26 points and 14 boards, despite playing much of the second half in foul trouble. He had 23 and 11 against the Pistons on Dec. 9. Lopez, who had 16 and 10 against the Rockets, had 11 rebounds against the Pistons. Batum continues to be a do-it-all utility man for the Blazers, registering 18 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Kaman gathered 10 rebounds against the Rockets. He scored 14 against the Pistons. Lillard should be able to get the better of Jackson. Afflalo struggled with his shooting against the Rockets, but turned in a terrific defensive performance on James Harden.. Leonard could be an effective weapon for the Blazers. Portland can win this if they avoid their shooting droughts and control Detroit's big men on the boards. Matchup to watch: Andre Drummond vs. LaMarcus Aldridge.
OFFICIALS
Bill Kennedy, Bennie Adams, Brent Barnaky.
QUOTABLE
Pistons' Stan Van Gundy: "We can't put ourselves in that situation. We played really well in the second half and we played much harder (against the Warriors). Against a good team like Portland we've got to do that for all four quarters."
Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge: "I think we're just trying to find our rhythm right now. It's coming to the home stretch and it's the best time to be playing great. I think right now guys are locked in."
FEATURED TWEETS
EXTRA
Here's a look at the "With Wes" shooting shirts the Blazers are wearing.
MATCH UP MEME
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