MINNEAPOLIS - Veteran Jimmy Butler missed a key free throw late as the Detroit Pistons tripped the Minnesota Timerwolves, 100-97, Sunday night at the Target Center.
It was a close call for the Wolves, who waxed hot early and took a 24-22 lead in the opening quarter. Head coach Tom Thobideau's chargers padded that lead to 53-49 at halftime.
The Wolves appeared like they would run away with the contest after storming ahead at 80-71 in the third quarter, but the Pistons went on a 29-17 run to turn the tables on Minnesota.
Still, Buter had a chance to knot the score with 6.2 seconds left to play, but he missed his thrid free throw and the Pistons took advantage by grabbing the rebound and add two more points on the scoreboard, following two free throws by Tobias Harris.
?I just missed one. Happens, Everybody misses free-throws. I don?t like to miss them, nobody does, but he had nothing to do with that, I just missed one.? Butler told reporters after the game.
Andre Drummond led the Pistons with a double-double of 20 points and 16 rebounds while Reggie Jackson had 16 points and eight dimes. Harris and Avery Bradley had 18 apiece and Stanley Johnson added 10.
Butler led Minnesota's losing cause with 26 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and four assists. Andrew Wiggins contributed 24 while Karl-Anthony "Kat Man" Towns chipped in 16 points with nine boards.
Power Forward Taj Gibson added 10 points and six rebounds. Point guard Jeff Teague's poor performance as he only got 3 points and nine assits was another factor of their second defeat to Pistons.
Detroit converted only 47 percent of its field goals while Minnesota finished with 51.3%. Minnesota had 21 turnovers against Detroit's 19. (DG)
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