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Jackson, Pistons end Blazers’ 6-game streak with 99-90 win

Posted at 10:07 PM, Mar 30, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-30 22:07:20-04

DETROIT (AP) — Reggie Jackson scored 28 points, Andre Drummond had 22 points and 19 rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons ended the Portland Trail Blazers’ six-game winning streak with a 99-90 victory on Saturday night.

The Pistons were missing Blake Griffin, who was scratched moments before game time with a sore left knee, but were able to maintain a half-game lead over the Brooklyn Nets for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Detroit has won 11 straight at home.

Damian Lillard scored 23 points and Enes Kanter added 20 points and 15 rebounds for Portland, which fell a half-game behind the Houston Rockets for the third seed in the Western Conference.

Detroit missed its first 13 field-goal attempts before Jackson hit a 17-foot jumper with 4:48 left in the first quarter. The Pistons shot 14.3 percent in the quarter, but only trailed 14-11 as the Trail Blazers managed just 25.9 percent.

Things didn’t get much better in the second quarter, as the teams combined to go 1-for-22 on 3-pointers in the half. Portland scored 30 of its 34 points in the paint to take a three-point lead.

Jackson’s dunk gave the Pistons their first lead of the game — 52-51 with 4:41 left in the third — and he and Drummond finished with 23 points in the quarter to help Detroit take a 66-59 lead.

Portland never seriously challenged in the fourth quarter.

TIP-INS

Trail Blazers: Portland forced 32 missed shots in the first half and held Detroit to only three offensive rebounds

Pistons: Detroit honored the 30th anniversary of its 1989 championship — the first of back-to-back titles — with a halftime ceremony. Isiah Thomas spoke on behalf of his teammates and recognized Drummond, who came out of the locker room to watch.

UP NEXT

Trail Blazers: Visit the Indiana Pacers on Monday.

Pistons: Visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.

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