Detroit, MI- One day after falling short in their season opener against the Denver Nuggets, the Detroit Pistons were back in action to try and get their first win of the season. Like Wednesday’s game, Thursday against the Timberwolves ended the same way, a lost. The Pistons who were down by as many as 19 points in the third quarter were unable to complete the comeback, falling short 97-91 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Detroit was again without forward Greg Monroe as he was serving the final game of a two game suspension for a DUI conviction last summer. Caron Butler score all of his 24 points in the second half, and DJ Augustin chipped in with 20 points and six assists for the Pistons. Top overall pick Andrew Wiggins scored eight points for Minnesota who were also lead by Thaddeus Young who scored 19 points.
The Pistons defense was a bit shaky throughout as Minnesota was able to shoot 48 percent from the floor and shot 4-10 from three-point range. The Pistons only shot 41 percent from the floor and once went long stretches of not being able to score a basket. The big stat of the night was the free-throw differential as the Timberwolves were able to get to the foul line 28 times while Detroit was only able to get to the foul line 13 times. Pistons center Andre Drummond was able to notch his first double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Josh Smith was able to score 10 points but shot 5-16 from the floor and struggled to finish around the rim. As much as the Pistons were attacking the rim, they failed to reach the free-throw, they only had one trip to the free-line in the first half.
The Pistons did however win the rebounding battle with a plus three advantage and did have more assists with 24 while the Timberwolves had 18. Greg Monroe will make his season debut in the team’s home opener this Saturday against the Brooklyn Nets. Monroe averaged 15 points and nine rebounds last season, so his work along the boards will help out both Josh Smith and Andre Drummond. Rookie Spencer Dinwiddie did not play in Thursday’ game as Coach Stan Van Gundy is limited his minutes as he recovers from ACL surgery he had in January. Starting point guard Brandon Jennings received his first technical foul of the season for arguing foul calls on teammate Andre Drummond.
