Needing to impress the national media, Detroit coach David Smith showed no mercy and ran up a 107-80 score against Portland. "Maybe we can get some credit now," commented coach David Smith after the game. "No matter what we've done right this season, there have always been those who find something to doubt. So hopefully this 107-to-80 win can shut them up a little bit. I hate to have to do this to [Portland coach] Bob; he's got a great program and we never like to run up the score. But I don't think we had any other choice."

Bob was understanding. "I'm not upset at all. David Smith is a classy coach, but was left with no choice by all the criticism he was taking. We'll just have to pick up the pieces and try to regroup before our next game."

Detroit was led by Bigelow (18 points, 5 boards, 2 assists, 3 steals, a block), Johnson (18 points, 7 boards, 0 assists, a steal, a block), Merriman (24 points). Portland was led by Shealey (25 points, 1 assists, a steal), Blackwell (6 points, 14 boards, 2 assists, a steal), Harris (15 points, 1 assists, a block).

Detroit extended their winning streak 6 games and are now 55-21 and 31-7 at home. They clinched the Central title and remain at #1 overall in the Eastern Conference. Portland fall to 33-42. They stay at #4 in the Northwest and hold at #12 overall in the Western Conference.

box score Detroit* roster Portland roster