Just before Sunday’s tipoff at Target Center in Minnesota, the Detroit Pistons learned they would once again be without two of their more productive scorers ahead of their matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Cade Cunningham missed his fourth consecutive game as he remains day to day with left calf soreness, while veteran forward Tobias Harris was a late scratch due to right Achilles tendon soreness.
Already undermanned, the Pistons lost three more players several minutes into the second quarter after a skirmish with the Timberwolves led to multiple ejections.
Minnesota took advantage of a shorthanded Detroit team, overcoming a double-digit deficit to win 123-104.
With Cunningham sidelined for the fourth straight game, a different player has stepped up each night to lead the Pistons in scoring. On Sunday, that responsibility fell to Malik Beasley at Target Center.
Beasley, who entered the game leading the NBA in 3-pointers made this season (283), added to that total by drilling six 3-pointers as part of his 27-point performance.
Helping Beasley shoulder Detroit’s scoring load were Tim Hardaway Jr., who added 20 points; Ausar Thompson, who scored 14; and Jalen Duren, who added 13.
At one point, Detroit led by as many as 16 points, but as the game tightened, tensions began to rise.
Early in the second quarter, Pistons rookie Ron Holland II was involved in an altercation with Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo and center Naz Reid.
Pistons reserves Isaiah Stewart and Marcus Sasser, along with a few coaches — Detroit’s J.B. Bickerstaff and Minnesota assistant Pablo Prigioni — were also caught up in the scuffle.
This led to the ejection of all parties involved following a lengthy review.
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With Detroit down key talent, Minnesota took advantage in the third quarter, fueled by a surge from Anthony Edwards. Edwards, who had just five points in the first half, gave the Timberwolves a 72-69 lead — their first since the game’s opening period — with a fast-break 3-pointer.
Edwards scored 20 of his 25 points in the period as Minnesota outscored Detroit 38-23.
Minnesota also benefited from a productive night by Rudy Gobert, who added 19 points along with 25 rebounds.
With 3:06 left in regulation, Minnesota’s Julius Randle, who had 26 points and eight rebounds, put the exclamation point on the victory with a slam, giving the Timberwolves a 116-96 lead.