PORTLAND – It was this kind of night for the Pistons: They scored 32 points in the third quarter and were only one point closer at the end of it than when it began.
Stan Van Gundy isn't going to try selling you that the Pistons played lock-down defense against the Portland Trail Blazers. But he's also not one to tolerate lackadaisical defense and that's not what he saw Friday night, either. Portland's two All-Stars, Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge, just made too many dazzling plays, combining for 50 points on only 28 shots.
"Both Lillard and Aldridge made shots even when they were well defended," Van Gundy said as the Pistons' losing streak reached nine in a 118-99 decision. "Those guys are great players. I'm not saying our defense on them was great, but I didn't think it was awful on either one of them."
If it had stopped there, the Pistons might have had a fighting chance. Their offense, at least, picked up from the last seven games, when they shot barely over 40 percent. They were at 45 percent at Portland, though their 3-point shooting continued to sputter at 28 percent.
But Portland got contributions up and down its roster. Backup big men Chris Kaman and Meyers Leonard meant Terry Stotts didn't have to overtax Aldridge, who dropped his 22 points in only 28 minutes. Leonard hit 6 of 7 shots, including 2 of 3 from the 3-point line, in scoring a season-high 15. Kaman hit 7 of 10 to finish with 14 points. They also combined for 13 rebounds, greatly aiding Portland to a 43-36 edge off the glass despite another big night for Andre Drummond (16 points, 17 boards.)
"Take the lid off early and everybody starts to feel comfortable," said Reggie Jackson, who turned in a solid night steering the offense with 11 points, 10 assists and just one turnover. "It's easier for those guys to make shots with the lead. They definitely are great players, but it's always a little more comfortable when you have a bigger lead. Their starters got off to a good start and they kept rolling throughout the game."
As in, start to finish. Portland shot better than 50 percent in all four quarters: .565, .579, .600 and .556.
"They were just making shots," said Greg Monroe, who went back at Aldridge for 19 points of his own. "They were doing what they were doing – they didn't do anything out of the ordinary. They just move the ball well and they made their shots."
And when Aldridge and Lillard sat, there was no letup. "Everybody else was still making shots," Monroe said. "The guys who were in that second quarter are fully capable of scoring, too. Those two guys aren't the only guys that can score. So we just have to do a better job, no matter who is in the game."
Portland is one of just four NBA teams in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency and the Pistons played one of the others, Golden State, in their most recent game. Van Gundy at least saw some signs of progress from an offense that's struggled to find its footing since trade-deadline deals shook up the starting lineup.
"We made offensive improvement tonight against a good team," Van Gundy said. "I thought our pace was better. I thought our ball movement was better. There was some offensive improvement, but we couldn't find a way to stop 'em at all."
With both benches cleared, there was a little excitement with a minute left when Shawne Williams reacted to what he felt was a shove in the back from Leonard. After jawing with him for a few seconds, separated by the officials, Williams was confronted by Joel Freeland. The two were nose to nose when Williams grazed Freeland with his head, provoking Freeland to reciprocate in kind. Both players were ejected.
"I don't care," Van Gundy said when if he thought it showed there was still fight in the Pistons despite the frustration of their recent skid. "The thing that makes me think guys care if watching them play defense. I don't really care about fighting or not fighting. I'm not mad at him, but ... so what?"
The Pistons wrap up a grueling four-game road trip crammed into five nights with another back-to-back capper at Utah, which had Friday night off.
"You have to be ready to win the next game," Monroe said. "No matter what happens, win or lose, we have to be ready to win the next game. Can't be any carryover. You can't let anything linger. You just have to get ready. We have to be focused and get ready for tomorrow."