Portland Trail Blazers Team Report - March 1

(Basketball News) - The Portland Trail Blazers face the red-hot Detroit Pistons on Monday at the Rose Garden. It will be the second and final meeting of the season between the clubs. On December 18th, Portland knocked off the Pistons, 75-74, at The Palace of Auburn Hills. With the win, the Trail Blazers snapped a two-game series losing streak.

Overall, the Blazers have won seven of nine and 10 of the last 13 meetings against the Pistons. Detroit has lost five of seven and eight of its last 11 at Portland.

The Blazers continue their five-game homestand on Monday. Portland is 1-2 on the current stand. On Sunday, Latrell Sprewell finished with a game-high 27 points and Kevin Garnett collected 17 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, as the Minnesota Timberwolves held on to defeat Portland, 91-83, at the Rose Garden.

Nick Van Exel posted 26 points and eight assists in Sunday’s loss for the Blazers, who have lost three of four and six of their last eight. Zach Randolph chipped in 17 points and nine rebounds in defeat, while Ruben Patterson added 10 points and eight boards.

Portland is 12-26 when it scores under 100 points this season.

The Trail Blazers are 14-20 at home his season. Portland is 6-4 in its last 10 at the Rose Garden.

Randolph has scored in double-digits in three straight games and has played 30 or more minutes in all of the contests. He is averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds in that span.

The Blazers will host the Indiana Pacers on Friday in the finale of the stand. It will be the second and final meeting of the season between the squads. On February 16th, the Pacers defeated Portland, 95-87, at Conseco Fieldhouse.

After Friday’s contest, Portland embarks on a brief two-game road trip as it will visit the Phoenix Suns on Saturday and the Denver Nuggets on March 7th.