NBA Game Summary - Minnesota at Detroit

02.2.2006

Detroit, MI (Basketball News) - Richard Hamilton netted 21 points and Tayshaun Prince added 20 as Detroit posted a 90-74 victory over Minnesota at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Prince finished 7-of-11 from the field to help the Pistons regroup from Tuesday’s defeat at New Jersey, which ended Detroit’s 11-game win streak. The Pistons have not lost back-to-back games all season long.

"We came into this game very focused, trying to get back on the right track," said Detroit guard Chauncey Billups. "We knew we let one get away last night and it wasn’t our best (performance)."

Ben Wallace failed to score but hauled down 17 rebounds for Detroit, which owned a 40-33 advantage on the glass.

"He was everywhere the ball was," said Hamilton of Wallace. "He was stealing the ball, blocking shots and getting rebounds."

Kevin Garnett had 14 points and 12 boards but scored just four points after halftime in the loss, the Timberwolves’ second in three games. Trenton Hassell also ended with 14 points.

Trailing 27-23 early in the second quarter, the Pistons surged ahead with a 10-0 run and didn’t relinquish the lead the rest of the way.

Carlos Arroyo began the spurt with back-to-back baskets and Detroit’s defense held the Timberwolves scoreless for nearly five minutes. Mark Blount drove the lane and scored midway through the period to end Minnesota’s drought and cut its deficit to 33-29.

However, Detroit answered with another 10-0 burst and built a commanding 43-29 lead late in the half following consecutive three-pointers from Carlos Delfino and Rasheed Wallace. The Pistons cruised into the break holding a 47-37 advantage.

"The second quarter hurt us," said Minnesota’s Ricky Davis. "They jumped out to a 12-14-point lead and we just couldn’t get it back."

Detroit then put the game out of reach by outscoring the T-Wolves 12-1 to start the third quarter. A Billups three-pointer staked the Pistons to a 57-38 lead with 8:38 left in the period, and Hamilton followed with a steal and layup to make it a 21-point game.

The Pistons carried a 70-52 advantage into the fourth quarter and were never threatened thereafter.

Members from both Super Bowl XL participants, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks, were in attendance...The recently-acquired Davis finished with 11 points for Minnesota. He has scored just 20 points over his last two games after erupting for 46 in his first two contests since being acquired from Boston...Twenty-one of Detroit’s NBA-best 38 victories this season have been by 10 or more points...The Pistons moved to 21-2 at the Palace this year and have won their last seven there...Detroit owns a 17-16 edge in the all-time series between the clubs...The Pistons last lost two in a row on March 22nd and 25th of last season.

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