The Portland Trail Blazers (12-6) started their five game road trip off right with a 96-85 victory against the Detroit Pistons (10-6) Sunday afternoon. LaMarcus Aldridge scored a game-high 27 points and had four rebounds while Brandon Roy finished with 19 points, four rebounds and five assets.
Portland was able to seal the win with a decisive 18-3 run in the fourth quarter including 11 unanswered points. The offense was controlled by Brandon Roy as he continually drove, dished and hit his jump shots.
"It was a good win for us” said Brandon Roy. “We've really struggled on the road against good teams this year but tonight we had a really good focus and we're able to close the game. Even when they made a run to get the game close, we did a good job of staying together and getting what we wanted offensively. I think that is a sign of us maturing offensively, not a lot yet, but we are getting better.
LaMarcus Aldridge got off to a hot start by scoring 13 points in the first quarter and finished the game shooting 11-19 from the field, mixing his inside game with perimeter jumpers. Detroit Piston’s coach Michael Curry attributes the win to Aldridge’s great start.
"We just weren't making shots and they were” said Curry. “We got some good looks but we just didn't knock them down. LaMarcus Aldridge started off extremely hot and he got them into a rhythm, and they just followed his lead."
"He had his jump-shot going tonight and when it is falling it is tough to guard us” said coach Nate McMillan. “It is nice to see him get in a rhythm since both he and Brandon (Roy) are the guys we are going through. Those are our go-to guys and Aldridge had his shot falling tonight."
Greg Oden grabbed another double double with 11 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. Oden also had three crowd-quieting blocks.
The Trail Blazers have now won four games in a row and are 11-3 since starting the season 1-3. In the last 10 games only the Celtics, Cavaliers and Lakers have posted a better record than the Trail Blazers.
Portland continues on the road with a game against the New York Knicks Tuesday night at 4:30 p.m. at Madison Square Garden on Comcast SportsNet Channel 37. Brian Wheeler and Antonio Harvey will have the radio call on 95.5 The Game and on all of the stations of the Trail Blazers Radio Network.
