Detroit Pistons Team Report - January 24

(Basketball News) - The Detroit Pistons found themselves on the wrong end of an 80-79 decision to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday in a game that featured a controversial ending at the Target Center.

Chauncey Billups nearly gave Detroit an 81-80 lead with a tough jumper over Kevin Garnett and Sam Cassell in the paint, but he was whistled for an offensive foul after making the bucket.

Pistons coach Larry Brown was irate, but the call stood and Minnesota was able to run out the final seconds for the win.

It was Detroit’s second-straight loss since a club record-tying 13-game winning streak.

Indiana snapped that streak on Tuesday, and Detroit’s loss against the Timberwolves means Pacers’ coach Rick Carlisle, let go by the Pistons in the off-season, will helm the Eastern Conference All-Star team over Brown.

Mehmet Okur led the Pistons with 21 points, Billups scored 18 and Richard Hamilton chipped in 13 points with 10 rebounds. Ben Wallace had 10 boards and six blocked shots.

Detroit returns to action on Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks.