Rapid reaction: Minnesota Timberwolves 120 Detroit Pistons 114

Despite multiple efforts to climb back into the game, the Detroit Pistons fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-114.

After a game where Minnesota shot just 6 for 45 from three-point range, they opened tonight 9 for 11 against the Detroit Pistons. While in the end, the Pistons performed better from beyond they arc (50 percent to Minnesota’s 44 percent) it didn’t matter. The duo of Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins proved to be too lethal on both ends of the floor.

Detroit has a serious problem defending. This has been a reoccurring theme in every single recap that we have written. The Timberwolves led by as many as 18 tonight, and despite several quality efforts to re-take the lead, Minnesota would once again put their foot on the gas and overwhelm Detroit.

Blake Griffin made his season debut tonight, and although there was certainly some issues meshing with the offense, that was more or less expected. He scored 19 points with 7 rebounds and 6 assists on 50 percent shooting.

Players of the game

For Minnesota – Andrew Wiggins. During the entirety of his NBA career, Wiggins has regularly faced criticism for his on-court performances. This season however, he’s been lighting it up. Tonight was no exception as he poured on a game high 33 points with 6 rebounds and 5 assists on 60 percent shooting.

For Detroit – Blake Griffin. Despite his occasional lapse in offensive decision making, Griffin appeared to pick up right where he left off last season. His ball handling was sharp and his on-ball defense was strong. Although it’ll take time for him to mesh with the offense, tonight was a good sign moving forward.

Key moment

As it’s been mentioned, Detroit made several quality stabs at climbing back into tonight’s game. The closest was after Tony Snell knocked down a three-point shot to bring the Pistons within 5 points. The following defensive possession was near flawless, with Towns (allegedly) getting away with two separate traveling calls while being double teamed.

With just a few seconds left on the shot clock, he found a wide open Wiggins who knocked down a 26-foot shot which inevitably crushed Detroit’s chances of winning the game.

Nick’s notes

There has to be a point where what Christian Wood provides on the floor is more valuable than what Thon Maker does. Maker has his moments, however – at the very least – when it comes to providing an offensive spark, Wood has to be the one seeing minutes.

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Wood played zero minutes tonight in a game where the Pistons were once down 18 points. Dwane Casey has discovered some exceptional unorthodox lineups this season via lineup roulette. However, an overwhelming majority of the Pistons success comes with Wood on the floor.

Casey is regularly praised for his ability to develop young players, but there have been a considerable amount of times throughout his tenure as Detroit’s head coach where his in-game adjustments seem lacking. Tonight was no exception.

Maker finished the game with a plus/minus of -14 in 19 minutes played.

At the end of the day, Detroit is consistently marginally better when Andre Drummond is on the floor. Tonight was yet another example of how crucial it is for him to stay out of foul trouble, as the Pistons could seldom find success without him on either end of the floor. Whenever this happens, it almost seems as if he gets discouraged when he is on the floor, which prevents him from being aggressive and doing what Detroit needs him to do.

There are so many things that this Pistons team has to improve on. There are so many things that they need to do in order to fulfill the expectations that have been placed on them. But it feels as if none of those things can happen until this team is finally fully healthy.