Drummond drops 31 as Pistons top Timberwolves

Andre Drummond erupted for 31 points and 15 rebounds and the Detroit Pistons won for the 10th time in 12 games by downing the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves 131-114 on Wednesday. Drummond's point total was two shy of his career best.

Detroit's bench also played a major hand in the victory, which put the Pistons over the .500 mark for the first time since Dec. 19. Luke Kennard had 21 points and Ish Smith supplied 19 points, five rebounds and five assists -- both players coming off the bench. Langston Galloway and Wayne Ellington added 11 points apiece as six Pistons scored in double figures -- four in a reserve role.

Karl-Anthony Towns led Minnesota with 24 points before fouling out. Andrew Wiggins had 18 points and Jeff Teague contributed 15 points and eight assists. Timberwolves forward Taj Gibson was ejected with 10:07 remaining for elbowing Drummond in the face, being called for a Flagrant 2 foul.

Minnesota raced to a 16-point lead late in the first quarter, then gave it back before emerging with a 64-60 halftime advantage. Towns and Wiggins scored 13 points apiece, while the bench duo of Kennard and Smith sparked Detroit's comeback. They combined for 22 points and four assists as the Pistons outscored the Timberwolves 38-29 in the second quarter.

Towns had a four-point play early in the third quarter to give Minnesota a 74-68 advantage. Drummond then sparked an 11-3 Pistons spurt as they regained the lead 79-77. Detroit carried a 90-88 lead into the fourth quarter and wasted no time extending it. Kennard hit a 3-pointer and Galloway had a four-point play in the first minute of the quarter. A dunk by Glenn Robinson III then gave the Pistons a 99-88 lead.

The Gibson incident allowed Detroit to score seven points in a matter of seconds. Smith made a basket at the same time Gibson committed the foul. Free throws by Galloway and Drummond and a 3-pointer by Thon Maker gave Detroit a 105-90 lead. When Kennard knocked down another shot from beyond the arc, the Pistons' lead was 20 at 113-93.

The Pistons made 13 field goals in a row until Kennard missed a layup. By that time, Detroit was up 123-98. --Field Level Media

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