Slam Dunk Central

 The Portland Trail Blazers snapped a four-game losing streak at the Rose Garden against the Detroit Pistons, as they defeated the Pistons 102-94 in what was a reunion of sorts between the Trial Blazers and Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace.  Wallace was a former member of the Blazers, known during his stay as the “Jail Blazers”; the team back then was known more for its off-court exploits than their on-court activities.

Detroit led by as much as 8 points in the first half, but Portland closed the gap and then took over the lead when Trail Blazers guard Jarrett Jack made a layup to make the score 39-38.  Portland upped the lead to 44-40 on center Joel Przybilla’s hook shot, but the Pistons’ Wallace dunked and G Chauncey Billups scored a layup to put the Pistons up 45-44.  Detroit led at the half 53-50.

In the 3rd quarter, both teams changed leads several times; Portland took the lead 74-71 on G Brandon Roy’s jumper, but Pistons G Flip Murray hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie the score going into the 4th quarter.  Portland went ahead on G Sergio Rodriguez’s 3-pointer 84-80 with 8:36 left in the game.  His layup soon after upped the Trail Blazer lead to 87-82.  Detroit narrowed the lead to 94-91 on F Tayshaun Prince’s layup with 2:11 to go, but Portland’s Roy answered back with a layup and the Blazers pulled away with the win.

Portland’s leading scorer was F LaMarcus Aldridge with 22 points and 10 rebounds; Roy and Jack both scored 20 each while Przybilla chipped in 8 points and 10 boards.  Detroit was led by Prince with 20 points, while Billups added 19 and 9 assists; Wallace chipped in with 15 points.  Portland (4-3) hopes to keep their 4-game winning streak going when they fly to Denver to take on the Nuggets Wednesday night, while Detroit (5-2) go south to Oakland to challenge the Golden State Warriors, also on Wednesday night.

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