NBA: Detroit 91, Portland 82

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Chauncey Billups boosted Detroit to a hot start Friday and the Pistons went on to down Portland 91-82.

All of Billups' 17 points came in the first period and Detroit raced to a 59-35 advantage at halftime. The Pistons won their seventh straight game.

Rodney Stuckey added 13 for Detroit and Richard Hamilton and Amir Johnson had 10 each.

Portland was led by 22 points from LaMarcus Aldridge. The Trail Blazers lost for the third time in five games. Portland's Brandon Roy missed the game due to a death in the family.

After leading by nine at the end of one quarter, the Pistons scored the first 10 points of the second.

The nine-point final margin was as close as Portland could come in the second half.