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Love, Timberwolves down Detroit

Mar 3, 2011 - 5:32 AM Auburn Hills, MI (Sports Network) - Kevin Love recorded his 48th consecutive double-double with 20 points and 20 rebounds, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 116-105 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Anthony Randolph posted 19 points and 10 boards in a little under 25 minutes off the bench. It was his best game for the Timberwolves since being acquired in the Carmelo Anthony trade last week.

Jonny Flynn added 14 assists and eight points as Minnesota won for just the second time in its last 10 games.

Austin Daye scored 22 points to pace the Pistons, who have lost two in a row and five of six. Greg Monroe had 18 points and 11 rebounds in the setback, while Rodney Stuckey added 11 points and 10 assists.

"Any time you score 105 points, that should be enough points to get a victory," said Pistons head coach John Kuester. "But we have to make more of a commitment every day and change the culture of our thinking defensively. Just making sure that we defend people."

The Pistons held a 32-30 edge after the first quarter, while the Timberwolves moved ahead, 63-61, at the break. Both teams shot better than 50 percent in the first half, and neither led by more than seven.

The third quarter was even tighter until the Timberwolves ripped off eight consecutive points toward the middle of the period. Luke Ridnour closed the run with four free throws to make it an 80-71 game with 4:44 remaining.

The Pistons drew within 89-85 moving to the fourth and were still within four early in the final quarter. However, Minnesota went on a devastating 14-2 run that essentially secured the outcome.

Lazar Hayward scored five consecutive points during the stretch, then ended it with a layup to make it a 107-91 contest with 4:47 remaining.

Detroit never recovered, and Minnesota held on for its first road victory since February 8. Love said the group that head coach Kurt Rambis put on the floor in the fourth quarter worked well to play defense.

"We were also moving the ball well, and the biggest thing for us was just getting stops," Love said. "Everybody was rebounding the ball and that is how we want to play basketball, just like that."

Game Notes

Minnesota made 29-of-37 foul shots and held a 47-38 rebounding advantage...Hayward finished with 16 points off the bench, while Ridnour added 15...Detroit shot 33 percent in the second half.