Detroit Pistons (56-21) beat Minnesota Timberwolves (46-30) 113-108 at home on Thursday, April 2. The Timberwolves led after three quarters, but the Pistons took control in the fourth.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Timberwolves had the better start, winning the first 31-30 to lead by 1 after one. The Pistons pulled even with a 24-23 second quarter, sending the game to halftime tied at 54.
The Timberwolves won the third 26-25 to turn the game around, taking a 1-point lead into the fourth. The Pistons took the fourth 34-28; the Pistons completed the comeback for a 113-108 regulation win.
What decided it
The Pistons grabbed 20.5% of their own misses, while the Timberwolves recovered 11.4%. The Pistons took better care of the ball, turning it over on 11.8% of possessions compared with 13.2% for the Timberwolves. In a 5-point game, the second chances kept adding up.
At roughly 104 possessions per team, the Pistons produced 108.8 points per 100 possessions to 104 for the Timberwolves.
Who made the difference
Julius Randle was the game's biggest individual force for MIN: 27 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast on 9-15 shooting. His Game Score of 22.5 led everyone. His team was +2 with him on the floor.
Daniss Jenkins led the Pistons with 26 pts, 5 reb, 8 ast on 9-19 shooting, good for a 22.4 Game Score.
Jalen Duren (22 pts, 14 reb, 4 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Pistons about a 78% chance.
Across the last 3 meetings in our records, Detroit Pistons lead 2-1.
The Pistons are now 56-21, and the Timberwolves are 46-30. The Pistons last five before this game: L-W-W-L-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.