Road Takes: Lillard hits OT game-winner to finish comeback against Pistons

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Damian Lillard went 6-21 on the night and didn’t hit a three pointer for the third time this season. He lost the ball as he had a chance to win the game in regulation.

None of that matters now after he buried a game-winner despite good defense from Rodney Stuckey to help the Blazers get a 111-109 win in Detroit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv96S2Gvd4A#t=0

video via Youtube User watchnba201213

The Blazers started out hot in the first quarter and they led by as much as 11 points and held a seven point lead after the first quarter. Detroit tried to takeaway the three-point line, but Portland’s problems weren’t coming on offense.

Mo Williams helped spark a little Blazers rally in the fourth quarter to help them get back into a game where they were dominated on the boards. Mo Williams was 0-4 to start the game but he went 3-6 in the fourth quarter, scoring eight points and sparking the comeback.

The Detroit Pistons came into the game as the NBA’s top offensive rebounding team and tonight the Pistons continued their dominance on that end. Portland’s biggest defensive weakness has been allowing offensive rebounds and the Pistons strengths played right into their weakness.

But, the Blazers eventually got their share of offensive rebounds.

Josh Smith also had by far his best scoring game of the year as he posted up Nicolas Batum early and often. Smith scored a game-high 31 points to go along with seven rebounds.

The Blazers were getting killed on the glass but in the fourth quarter and overtime the Blazers stepped up.

The Blazers were able to lock-in defensively as they only allowed 15 points and out-rebounded the Pistons 19-14 in the 4th quarter and overtime.

LaMarcus Aldridge and Robin Lopez continue being a dependable duo. Aldridge finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds and Lopez had 12 points and 13 rebounds.

The Pistons dominated the Blazers for most of the game on the offensive boards but Portland used second chances to back in the game and eventually get the win. They scored 29 second chance points to Detroit’s 17.

Batum had a solid game with 18 points and five rebounds while Wesley Matthews scored 14 points and had one of the game’s biggest plays when he drew a loose-ball foul on Kyle Singler that sent him to the line for the game-tying free-throws in regulation.

Lillard struggled shooting but he was making an impact in other ways including some big time steals and a tip-in late in the game.

The Blazers win gives them their 11th road win of the season, which ties their season total of road wins from last season. The Blazers now have more wins than anybody in the NBA.

Notes:

• Joel Freeland tweaked his back in the first half but came back and played 14 minutes.
• Stotts busted out the never-before-used Mo Williams, Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews, Nic Batum and Robin Lopez line-up tonight as he was trying to find something to work.