Pistons 104 - 98 Timberwolves
Final - 2OT
  for this game

Pistons hope Billups, Webber step up

Jan 19, 2007 - 3:35 PM Detroit (21-16) at Minnesota (20-17) 8:00 pm EST

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Detroit Pistons are hoping a pair of new additions help them break out of the doldrums.

The Pistons, losers of four of their last five, hope to turn things around when they tangle with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

Detroit welcomed Chauncey Billups back and newly-acquired Chris Webber made his debut, but it was not enough to prevent the Pistons from dropping a 100-99 decision to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

Billups, who missed eight games with a calf injury, did not appear rusty, as he poured in 26 points and added seven assists.

For Webber, who was signed after having his contract bought out by the Philadelphia 76ers, it was a different story. He only scored two points in 16 minutes after hitting just 1-of-5 shots from the floor.

The Timberwolves, despite a 105-88 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, have been playing well lately in going 7-2 in their last nine games.

Kevin Garnett, who is averaging 22.4 points per game and 24.6 points per game in January, had an off night, finishing with only 13 points after connecting on only 6-of-15 shots from the field.






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