Timberwolves win 3rd straight, 112-101 over Pistons
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) - Nikola Pekovic scored 29 points and Kevin Martin added 24 to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves to their third straight victory, 112-101 over the sluggish Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.
Minnesota had not even won back-to-back games this season until this modest streak. The Timberwolves led throughout against the Pistons despite the absence of guard Ricky Rubio, who is still recovering from a left ankle injury. Andrew Wiggins scored 18 points for Minnesota, and Thaddeus Young added 16.
Andre Drummond had 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Pistons, going 8 of 8 from the field.
Detroit trailed 74-55 in the third quarter before fighting back to make a game of it. It was 83-79 early in the fourth, but a 3-pointer by Wiggins started an 18-6 run for Minnesota.
The Timberwolves have won 10 straight over the Pistons.
Pekovic bested his previous season high by 10 points, but he wasn't the only Minnesota player who had an easy time of it against Detroit's defense. Young went 6 of 7 from the field, and Zach LaVine scored 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including an alley-oop from Wiggins on a fast break in the first quarter.
The Pistons are 15-9 since their 5-23 start, but this was an ugly performance from the start. Minnesota started the game 8 of 10 from the field en route to a 32-24 lead after the first quarter.
First-half lowlights for Detroit included a missed layup by D.J. Augustin on a breakaway, a missed dunk by Greg Monroe late in the second quarter, a technical foul on Monroe - and Augustin fouling Mo Williams while he was shooting a 3-pointer.
It was 61-51 at the half.
Augustin, who has played well since the Pistons lost point guard Brandon Jennings to an Achilles injury, had 20 points and eight assists. But offense wasn't really Detroit's problem on this night. Minnesota shot 61 percent in the first quarter and finished at 51 percent. The Timberwolves were also 29 of 34 on free throws.
They did all that without Rubio, whom Minnesota said hasn't been cleared to play in back-to-back games. The Timberwolves play again Monday.
TIP-INS
Timberwolves: In addition to Rubio, Minnesota was also without F Robbie Hummel (fractured right hand) and F Shabazz Muhammad (strained outer oblique).
Pistons: Coach Stan Van Gundy was also hit with a technical foul with 5:07 remaining in the game.
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: Host Atlanta on Monday night.
Pistons: At Charlotte on Tuesday night.