Minnesota Timberwolves (10-5) vs. Detroit Pistons (10-5), November 19, 2017

Tonight’s Matchup

  • The series is tied 28-28 and the Wolves are 16-12 at home. The Pistons won the first matchup this season, 122-101, in Detroit on Oct. 25. The Pistons have won the last five meetings. Prior to that, the Wolves had won 10 straight in the series.

Wolves Notes

  • The Wolves’ 10-5 record matches their best 15-game start in franchise history (four times, most recently 2004-05). Minnesota has been 11-5 twice in franchise history: 2004-05 and 2001-02.
  • The Wolves held Dallas to 87 points on Friday, the second consecutive game holding their opponent under 90 points. Minnesota is 7-0 this season when holding its opponent below 100 points.
  • Karl-Anthony Towns has recorded a double-double in 12 games this season (126 career), including the last five games. He ranks 20th in the NBA in scoring (21.1 ppg), sixth in rebounding (11.5 rpg), 11th in blocks (1.67 bpg), 17th in FG accuracy (54.3%) and second in double-doubles (12). Towns needs one block to move past Felton Spencer (266) for seventh on the Wolves’ all-time list.
  • Jimmy Butler has scored 20+ points in three of the last four games. He ranks seventh in the NBA in steals (1.77 spg) and ninth in minutes (36.1 mpg). The Wolves are 10-3 with Butler in the lineup.
  • Jeff Teague is averaging 15.6 ppg and 8.4 apg in the Wolves’ 10 wins. He ranks sixth in the NBA in assists (7.5 apg) and ninth in steals (1.73 spg). He has posted five double-doubles this season.
  • Andrew Wiggins is shooting 49.0% (48-for-98) from the field over the last seven games. He has tallied 11 steals in the last five games.
  • Taj Gibson has recorded double-doubles in five of the last eight games, averaging 12.0 ppg on 52.2% shooting, and 10.0 rpg over that span. He ranks 19th in the NBA in FG% at 53.3%.
  • Nemanja Bjelica ranks first in the NBA in three-point accuracy at 52.8% (19-for-36). He is 10-of-15 (66.7%) at Target Center this season.
  • The Wolves have attempted more free throws than their opponent in all 15 games this season and are outscoring their opponent at the line by a league-best margin of +7.00 ppg.

Pistons Notes

  • Detroit is tied with Toronto for the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, four games behind Boston and one game ahead of Washington. The Pistons are 3-4 on the road this season.
  • Andre Drummond leads the league in rebounding (15.7 rpg) and second-chance points per game (5.8 ppg). He is tied for third with 11 double-doubles. He needs two blocks for 600 in his career and one steal for 500.
  • Drummond has grabbed at least 12 rebounds in each of the Pistons’ first 15 games this season. He is just the second player in the last 40 years to have 12+ boards in each of his team’s first 15 games (Moses Malone, 16 in 1978-79).
  • Tobias Harris has 45 three-pointers, the most by a Pistons player through 15 games of a season. He ranks seventh in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage at 48.9%.

Wolves LeadersPistons Leaders

Karl-Anthony Towns21.1 ppgTobias Harris19.3 ppg

Karl-Anthony Towns11.5 rpgAndre Drummond15.7 rpg

Jeff Teague 7.5 apgReggie Jackson 5.9 apg