Pistons try to get back on track against Minnesota

Saunders, who was fired by the Timberwolves in February 2005 after 9 1/2 years of service, received a rousing ovation a little over a week ago in his first game back in Minnesota, as the Pistons rolled to a 107-83 victory.

Detroit, though, had its 11-game winning streak stopped on Tuesday with a 91-84 setback at the hands of the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena.

Chauncey Billups led all scorers with 30 points and Richard Hamilton added 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Pistons, who lost for just the second time in its last 13 tries and fell to a still incredible 37-6 on the season.

A loss tonight would give Detroit its first losing streak since dropping three in a row from March 22-25.

The Pistons, who will hit the road for three games after tonight’s encounter, are an incredible 20-2 at home this season.

Minnesota, meanwhile, comes in on a winning note after Marcus Banks came back to haunt his old team by scoring 20 points and dishing out six assists as the Timberwolves crushed the Boston Celtics, 110-85, on Monday at the Target Center in the first meeting between the teams since last week’s blockbuster trade.

Last Thursday Minnesota dealt forward Wally Szczerbiak, center Michael Olowokandi, forward/center Dwayne Jones and a future first-round draft choice to Boston for guards Ricky Davis, Banks, center Mark Blount, forward Justin Reed and two conditional second round draft choices.

Blount contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds and Kevin Garnett netted 15 and pulled down nine boards for the Timberwolves, who have won two of their last three games.

Minnesota, which will be starting a four-game road trip tonight, is 7-14 away from home this season.

The Pistons should have the advantage tonight, as the home team in this series has won eight of the last 10 matchups. Minnesota has also lost three of its last four in Detroit.