Game 45: Portland Trail Blazers 97, Detroit Pistons 93

Closing out a brutal, injury-riddled road trip with a win is always sweet. From Martell Webster's career night to Andre Miller and Steve Blake combining for 23 assists, it was a great win which eased the pain of losing in Boston the night before.

I'd like to first say how much I enjoy watching this team play right now. Guys are working extremely hard on both ends of the floor, they are sticking up for each other and best of all, they are still very competitive no matter who the opponent is and how many Blazers are injured.

It has a college basketball feel to it, more energy, less selfish behavior and guys aren't just going through the motions to get a paycheck. Win or lose, this team is fun to watch because they are playing basketball the right way.

Fortunately tonight, playing as a scrappy team and winning was synonymous. It certainly didn't come easy, the Blazers took a big early lead but as is almost always the case in the NBA, the Pistons came back and made it a game. In the second half the game started to get out of control physically.

The refs were letting Detroit hand check and grab throughout. Eventually, it came to a head when Charlie Villanueva threw Rudy to the ground in what could only be described as a cheap shot. Juwan Howard went over to confront the Piston attacker and Charlie started going nuts trying to choke Juwan and a brawl nearly took place.

The Pistons made their comeback in that third quarter which lead to a tightly matched 4th quarter. Detroit had opportunities to show Portland the door, but they kept making mistakes or missing open shots.

Eventually, after a LaMarcus Aldridge steal, the Blazers sealed the deal. Villanueva and Stuckey both missed wide open threes late that would have tied it, but on this night the basketball Gods were on our side.

As far as individual performances go, Martell Webster took his game to new heights in Detroit. The guy gets more confident with every January game and in this most recent performance, Marty was so smooth. Not only did Martell score 28 points hitting six triples, but he also played all 48 minutes, grabbed 7 rebounds and stepped up huge for Portland.

I think it goes without saying at this point, but Andre Miller haters can't possibly feel too much credibility right now. From the beginning, media and fans ragged on Miller for various insignificant reasons.

But as we stand right now, if it weren't for Andre, I don't know where this team would be. He had a ridiculously productive night in Boston last night and followed it up here with 11 points on 3 of 6 shooting and added 13 assists. He gives our offense new life and I love what he's done for the Blazers.

A certain someone said a few weeks back that Andre Miller doesn't fit in on the Blazers. I believe it is quite the opposite and the team is so much better for embracing the veteran point guard.Good basketball players always find a way to fit in, saying he'll never fit was just ignorant and short-sighted.

Box Score

Missing 3 free throws that could have officially sealed the game down the stretch. LA still frustrates me, he shoots too many jumpers when the lane is open for him to finish strong. Besides Martell, the Blazers went 2 for 9 from deep.	Martell's career high 28 points. Andre and Steve holding down the point guard position with 23 assists. Grinding out a road win despite not having Roy, Bayless, Outlaw, Batum, Oden and Prz.