Trail Blazers Lose 122-116 to Pistons on Road Trip

The Portland Trail Blazers suffered a 122-116 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Friday night at Little Caesars Arena, dropping to 9-14 overall after a gritty performance marred by injuries and foul trouble during the third game of a five-game East Coast road trip.

The defeat came just two days after the Blazers halted a three-game skid with a 122-110 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. In that contest, Portland built a double-digit halftime lead and extended it with a decisive 14-6 run in the fourth quarter, fueled by 10 straight points from forward Toumani Camara. The third-year player has been sharp from beyond the arc, converting 9 of 15 three-point attempts over his last three games. Deni Avdija led the way with 27 points, including 16 of 17 from the free-throw line, while reserves Caleb Love and Shaedon Sharpe each scored 20 points. Portland shot efficiently, going 6 of 10 from three-point range in the third quarter, and placed six players in double figures while converting 34 of 39 free throws.

Cleveland, playing without center Jarrett Allen (finger strain), forward Larry Nance Jr. (calf strain) and guard Sam Merrill (hand sprain),...