Pistons competitive for three quarters, but lose eighth straight vs. Timberwolves

Two teams heading in opposite directions met for the second time this season in the heart of downtown Minneapolis.

The Pistons were desperately looking to snap a seven-game losing streak, while the Minnesota Timberwolves aimed to improve their chances of securing the No. 1 seed in the stacked Western Conference.

Two different motivations, but an equal desire to leave the court with a victory. Detroit was shorthanded, as it has been for the last couple of weeks, but managed to stay competitive for nearly three quarters until Minnesota put its foot on the gas.

The Pistons suffered their eighth straight loss and fell 106-91 to the Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

After missing Detroit's back-to-back blowout losses to the New Orleans Pelicans and New York Knicks due to injury management of his left knee, Cade Cunningham returned to the lineup and made a profound impact against Minnesota's top-ranked defense.

Cunningham scored 25 points through three quarters and finished with 32 on the night. Without Jaden Ivey in the lineup due to left knee soreness, Cunningham sought his shot early and often. He made 11 of his 23 attempts from the field.

The Pistons trailed by two with three minutes and 27 seconds left in the third quarter when Cunningham went to the bench. By the time the third quarter buzzer sounded, Detroit trailed by 12 going into the fourth quarter. Minnesota ended the quarter on a 16-2 run and the wounded Pistons couldn't bounce back in the fourth quarter despite seven points in the period from Cunningham.

Detroit had trouble finding consistent scoring outside of Cunningham and Malachi Flynn, but Minnesota's offense was spread across five players who totaled double-figures. Naz Reid led the Timberwolves with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Jaden McDaniels added 20 points. Kyle Anderson had 14 points, four rebounds and five assists off the bench. Rudy Gobert and Nickeil Alexander-Walker totaled 11 points each.

BOX SCORE: Timberwolves 106, Pistons 91

Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards didn't boast the All-Star numbers he's capable of, finishing with nine points and five assists, but he left fans at Target Center with another memorable moment. Midway through the first quarter, Edwards executed several pivots before knocking down a fadeaway midrange shot over Tosan Evbuomwan.

Malachi Flynn led Detroit's bench with 14 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting night. Jalen Duren also returned from injury after missing the last two games due to low back spasms. He finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

Ivey's absence marked the fifth game he's missed this season and the first since an illness sidelined him for four games in early November. Marcus Sasser started in his place and played opposite of Cunningham. The rookie guard had seven points and five assists, but struggled with his shot, making just two of his 11 shot attempts.

The Pistons will conclude their three-game road trip against the Washington Wizards, who sits two games ahead of Detroit for the second-worst record in the NBA.

mcurtis@detroitnews.com

@MikeACurtis2