Kentavious Caldwell-Pope connected on a three-pointer to beat the Trailblazers.
The Detroit Pistons(18-21) coach Stan Van Gundy certainly didn’t call for a 3 pointer, but he’s sure glad Caldwell-Pope shot one.With a little over 9 seconds left the score 122-124 Caldwell-Pope delivered a game-winning dagger.Detroit has won two straight the first time since Dec.2.
“I’m damn glad it was a 3, to be quite honest” Van Gundy said. “I wasn’t looking forward to another overtime.”
Caldwell-Pope finished with 26 points Andre Drummond had a double-double with 28 points and 14 rebounds playing a whopping 52 minutes and Reggie Jackson led Detroit with 31 points on 13-26 shooting.
Portland Trail Blazers (16-23) CJ McCollum led his team in scoring with 35, C Mason Plumlee almost notched a triple-double with 8 points 10 rebounds and 12 assists and Damian Lillard almost had a double-double with 20 points and 9 rebounds.McCollum hit 3’s to force both overtimes but missed a midrange jumper over Drummond in the second overtime, giving the Pistons a very hard fought victory.He has been on a tear the last week averaging 33.8 points in his last five games.
“He’d been getting to that spot and usually when he gets to that spot, it’s cash,” Damian Lillard said about the final shot by McCollum.
“I get a pull-up with a big backing up on his heels and I miss it a little short, it’s frustrating, but it’s part of the game” McCollum said. “Nine out of 10 times I’d take that shot.”
Pistons will be at Sacramento 1/10 while the Trail Blazers will be at the Lakers on Tuesday night as well.
- TAGS
- Detroit Pistons
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
- Portland Trailblazers
