LATE SATURDAY
Pistons lose for 11th time in 12 games
3/17/2013PORTLAND, Ore. — LaMarcus Aldridge had 31 points and 12 rebounds, and the Portland Trail Blazers handed the Detroit Pistons their eighth straight loss with a 112-101 victory Saturday night.
Rodney Stuckey had a season-high 32 points for the Pistons, who have lost 11 of their last 12. Will Bynum had 23.
Stuckey, who sustained a bad cut to his forehead during the game after a head-to-head collision, has been starting in place of Brandon Knight.
Detroit (23-45) was without guard Knight for the second straight game because of a sprained left ankle.
"I've been given the opportunity to do this the last couple of games, and it's been working," he said. "But more importantly, though, we lost. We just have to come out and get more stops defensively, because that's what hurt us tonight."
Portland led 99-87, but the Pistons close to within 99-97 on Will Bynum's running jumper with 2:54 left, but Nicolas Batum answered with another 3-pointer. After Stuckey made a layup, Aldridge's hook shot ended Detroit's threat.
The Blazers (31-34) have won nine of their last 12 at the Rose Garden.
The Pistons continue to play under assistant coach Brian Hill. Head coach Lawrence Frank did not accompany the team on the road trip to attend to be with his wife, who is ill.