ducks
11-11-2005, 10:19 AM
Detroit (5-0) at Portland (2-2)
Preview - Box Score - Recap
Game Info: 10:30 pm EST Fri Nov 11, 2005
TV: ESPN, FxNW Add to Calendar
Buy Tickets
Rasheed Wallace's annual return to Portland with the Detroit Pistons is turning into quite an event.
The power forward will try to help the Pistons remain the lone unbeaten team in the NBA when they meet the Trail Blazers.
Wallace is making his third return to Portland, where he spent most of his 11-year career before being traded to Atlanta in 2003-04, and subsequently dealt to the Pistons, helping Detroit win the NBA title.
Always a lightning rod for controversy, Wallace was called for a league-record 41 technical fouls in 2000-01. Though the Blazers reached the conference finals with Wallace in 2000, his behavior tarnished the proud franchise's reputation and led team president Steve Patterson to label his trade as a ``watershed day'' for the franchise.
The first two returns for Wallace have produced Pistons victories and plenty of boos. Two seasons ago, he had 13 points and nine rebounds in an 83-68 victory and did not talk to any reporters.
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Last season, Wallace finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds in a 103-93 victory and chose to answer questions from the Detroit media while ignoring local reporters. He made a point to show off his championship ring and even playfully taunted his former coach, Maurice Cheeks by yelling ``Timeout Cheeks!'' at one point.
Wallace is averaging 14 points and 10.3 rebounds in three games against the Blazers since the trade.
Detroit improved to 5-0 with a 111-104 victory at Phoenix on Thursday. Chauncey Billups had 27 points and 11 assists and Richard Hamilton scored 12 of his 18 points over the final nine minutes as Detroit rallied behind a 37-point fourth quarter.
The Pistons are off to their best start since going 8-0 in 1988-89 en route to the first of consecutive NBA championships.
Portland is rebuilding its team with young players following the departure of Wallace. The Blazers improved to 2-0 on a five-game homestand after a 95-83 victory over New York on Wednesday.
Zach Randolph had 29 points and 12 rebounds while Darius Miles added 26 points and eight boards as the Blazers rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit. Randolph made 11-of-19 shots after connecting on just 20-of-50 through his first three games.
``I was especially pleased with Zach,'' Portland coach Nate McMillan said. ``I thought his focus was there tonight.''
Miles is nursing a sore right knee and reserve forward Ruben Patterson, who scored 17 points against New York, is listed as probable with a sore left knee.
STANDINGS (through Nov. 10): Pistons - 1st place, Central Division. Trail Blazers - 3rd place, 1/2 GB, Northwest Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Pistons - F Tayshaun Prince, F Rasheed Wallace, C Ben Wallace, G Hamilton, G Billups. Trail Blazers - F Miles, F Randolph, C Joel Przybilla, G Sergei Monia, G Sebastian Telfair.
TEAM LEADERS: Pistons - Hamilton, 24 ppg; Ben Wallace, 13.6 rpg; Billups, 9.2 apg. Trail Blazers - Miles, 21.3 ppg and 3.3 apg; Randolph, 11.5 rpg.
2004-05 SEASON SERIES: Tied, 1-1.
LAST MEETING: March 1; Pistons, 103-93. At Portland, Ore., Hamilton had 20 points and nine assists and Prince added 17 points as Detroit placed all five starters in double figures and won its eighth straight.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Pistons - 3-0 on the road; Trail Blazers - 2-0 at home.
Preview - Box Score - Recap
Game Info: 10:30 pm EST Fri Nov 11, 2005
TV: ESPN, FxNW Add to Calendar
Buy Tickets
Rasheed Wallace's annual return to Portland with the Detroit Pistons is turning into quite an event.
The power forward will try to help the Pistons remain the lone unbeaten team in the NBA when they meet the Trail Blazers.
Wallace is making his third return to Portland, where he spent most of his 11-year career before being traded to Atlanta in 2003-04, and subsequently dealt to the Pistons, helping Detroit win the NBA title.
Always a lightning rod for controversy, Wallace was called for a league-record 41 technical fouls in 2000-01. Though the Blazers reached the conference finals with Wallace in 2000, his behavior tarnished the proud franchise's reputation and led team president Steve Patterson to label his trade as a ``watershed day'' for the franchise.
The first two returns for Wallace have produced Pistons victories and plenty of boos. Two seasons ago, he had 13 points and nine rebounds in an 83-68 victory and did not talk to any reporters.
ADVERTISEMENT
Last season, Wallace finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds in a 103-93 victory and chose to answer questions from the Detroit media while ignoring local reporters. He made a point to show off his championship ring and even playfully taunted his former coach, Maurice Cheeks by yelling ``Timeout Cheeks!'' at one point.
Wallace is averaging 14 points and 10.3 rebounds in three games against the Blazers since the trade.
Detroit improved to 5-0 with a 111-104 victory at Phoenix on Thursday. Chauncey Billups had 27 points and 11 assists and Richard Hamilton scored 12 of his 18 points over the final nine minutes as Detroit rallied behind a 37-point fourth quarter.
The Pistons are off to their best start since going 8-0 in 1988-89 en route to the first of consecutive NBA championships.
Portland is rebuilding its team with young players following the departure of Wallace. The Blazers improved to 2-0 on a five-game homestand after a 95-83 victory over New York on Wednesday.
Zach Randolph had 29 points and 12 rebounds while Darius Miles added 26 points and eight boards as the Blazers rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit. Randolph made 11-of-19 shots after connecting on just 20-of-50 through his first three games.
``I was especially pleased with Zach,'' Portland coach Nate McMillan said. ``I thought his focus was there tonight.''
Miles is nursing a sore right knee and reserve forward Ruben Patterson, who scored 17 points against New York, is listed as probable with a sore left knee.
STANDINGS (through Nov. 10): Pistons - 1st place, Central Division. Trail Blazers - 3rd place, 1/2 GB, Northwest Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Pistons - F Tayshaun Prince, F Rasheed Wallace, C Ben Wallace, G Hamilton, G Billups. Trail Blazers - F Miles, F Randolph, C Joel Przybilla, G Sergei Monia, G Sebastian Telfair.
TEAM LEADERS: Pistons - Hamilton, 24 ppg; Ben Wallace, 13.6 rpg; Billups, 9.2 apg. Trail Blazers - Miles, 21.3 ppg and 3.3 apg; Randolph, 11.5 rpg.
2004-05 SEASON SERIES: Tied, 1-1.
LAST MEETING: March 1; Pistons, 103-93. At Portland, Ore., Hamilton had 20 points and nine assists and Prince added 17 points as Detroit placed all five starters in double figures and won its eighth straight.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Pistons - 3-0 on the road; Trail Blazers - 2-0 at home.