Pistons drop into Timberwolves’ laps at timely moment

For a team battling for the top spot in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves couldn’t have asked for a better matchup on Wednesday night.The Timberwolves draw a home game in Minneapolis against the league’s worst team, the Detroit Pistons.Minnesota (49-22) continues to hang tough despite Karl-Anthony Towns’ knee injury, which has sidelined him since March 4.The Timberwolves have won five of their last six games, including a 114-110 triumph over Golden State on Sunday. They’re still within striking distance of Denver and Oklahoma City in the fight for home-court advantage throughout the conference playoffs.They knocked down 21 of their 40 3-point attempts against a Warriors team that features the “Splash Brothers” of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.”We were getting stops and we were running, trying to catch them off balance before their defense could get set,” Minnesota guard Mike Conley said. “You’ve got multiple playmakers in that group and, whoever got the ball, we told that guy to sprint up the court and make a play. Everybody just played off each other.”Naz Reid, Towns’ replacement in the lineup, led the 3-point barrage by making six of his eight attempts. Minnesota has exceeded expectations this season, while the Warriors have to hang on to make the play-in tournament.”I’m just happy we (are) not in the play-in game,” Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards said. “My (Team) USA brothers, they thought we (were) gonna be in the play-in again, so I’m happy to prove them wrong.”Edwards contributed 23 points as the Timberwolves recorded 30 assists on 40 made baskets.”We’re very deep. This team is tremendous,” Reid said. “Everybody puts their best foot forward, so everybody has the right intentions. Everybody has the right mindset. It’s anybody’s day at any moment.”

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