NBA ROUNDUP : Knicks Are Humbled by Pistons

The New York Knicks went from a great performance to a poor one. And the Detroit Pistons took advantage of it.

“It is great to (finally win),” said Terry Mills of the Pistons after Sunday night’s 92-76 victory over the Knicks at Detroit. “Now, we can go back to the business of winning basketball games.”

The struggling Pistons (3-9) ended a seven-game losing streak while handing the Knicks one of their worst defeats of the season.

The Knicks, coming off a 112-75 victory at home over the NBA champion Chicago Bulls, were held to 34 points in the first half Sunday night.

Detroit handed the Knicks their first loss in five games, but their fifth loss in their last six road games.

“In this league, there will be times where you get kicked around on the road,” Knick Coach Pat Riley said. “But when not one player plays their game, you have to wonder about the intensity of the team.”

The season-low point total was the second Knick offensive collapse of 1992 in Detroit. On April 12, they set a team record for fewest points in a 72-61 loss.

Detroit led, 52-34, at halftime, and New York’s frustration was evident. Within the first four minutes of the third quarter, Patrick Ewing, Tony Campbell and Riley all picked up technical fouls.

“They have a lot of pride, and they way they have been playing, we knew they would be fired up for this one,” said Ewing, who scored 22 points and had 13 rebounds. “But we just didn’t match their intensity. They killed us.”

Joe Dumars led the Pistons with 23 points. Mills added 18 off the bench before fouling out.

Dennis Rodman had 20 rebounds, following his 24-rebound game Saturday in Minnesota.

Portland 107, Sacramento 99--Clyde Drexler scored 24 points, including a crucial three-point play in the fourth quarter, and Cliff Robinson added 20 as the Trail Blazers beat the Kings at Portland.

Robinson, subbing for starter Jerome Kersey, who sat out the game with tendinitis in his left knee, also had a career-high 13 rebounds.

Lionel Simmons led the Kings with a season-high 29 points and Mitch Richmond added 23.

Drexler had 11 first-quarter points, but it was a layup and free throw with 7:44 left in the fourth quarter that finished a 7-0 Portland run and gave the Trail Blazers an 88-83 lead.

The Trail Blazers built a 99-91 lead with 2:27 to play on a free throw by Buck Williams.

Portland led by seven twice during the third quarter, the second time, 74-67, on a rebound layup by Mark Bryant with 2:46 left.