Pistons at Trail Blazers
The Detroit Pistons continue pursuit of an Eastern Conference playoff spot when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. Detroit won 15 of its past 20 games and resides in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 11 games remaining.
The Pistons are 1-1 on a five-game road swing after rolling to a 118-98 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. Detroit knocked down 17 3-pointers in the triumph and is averaging 114.5 points over the past four games after averaging 74.5 in the previous two outings. Portland is fighting for the fourth seed and homecourt advantage in the first round on the Western Conference side and won five of its past six games. "It's more important how we play and how we're playing going into the playoffs than what seed we are," backup guard Seth Curry told reporters. "We could be a high seed but if we're not going into the playoffs playing well, it doesn't mean as much. Hopefully we're playing our best basketball in a couple of weeks."
TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Detroit, NBCS Northwest (Portland)
ABOUT THE PISTONS (37-34): Shooting guard Wayne Ellington is on an impressive two-game splurge by making 13-of-23 3-point attempts and averaging 24 points. Ellington is shooting 41.1 percent from 3-point range and averaging 11.4 points in 17 games (15 starts) since being acquired from the Miami Heat. Power forward Blake Griffin returned from a game off for rest but was just 4-of-17 shooting despite contributing 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists against the Suns.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (44-27): All-Star point guard Damian Lillard recorded three double-doubles in the past five games and scored at least 20 points in each. Lillard had 33 points and 12 assists in Wednesday's 126-118 victory over the visiting Dallas Mavericks and is averaging 28.2 points and 10.2 assists during the stretch. "I thought it was another very special night by Damian," Portland coach Terry Stotts said after the victory. "I thought he pretty much controlled the game from our standpoint. He took advantage of his scoring opportunities, had another great night passing, finding people."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pistons won five of the past six meetings with the Trail Blazers.
2. Detroit C Andre Drummond recorded 16 points and 19 rebounds against Phoenix for his 59th double-double of the season.
3. Portland SG CJ McCollum (knee) performed ball-handling and passing drills after Friday's practice and a timetable for his return is expected to be released early next week.