How Detroit Pistons Claimed a Close Victory Over Minnesota Timberwolves

The Detroit Pistons ended a tightly-contested battle with a 113-108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.

Guard Daniss Jenkins kept his solid streak of games going with a Pistons-leading 26 points, while center Jalen Duren racked up another double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Forward Julius Randle took point for their Midwestern counterparts with 27 points and six assists.

Apr 02, 2026; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins (24) shoots in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

A tale of two extremes defined the Thursday showdown.

While the Pistons chose to get their engine running from close range, the Timberwolves opted to take to the long-range game to keep pace with an early paint push from Detroit. Five of the Pistons' first six buckets came from the paint, while the Timberwolves didn't attempt a field goal from inside the arc until Randle missed a 16-foot jumper about five minutes in.

It wouldn't be enough to hold off the Timberwolves for long as they started to use the Pistons' own strengths against them. Minnesota claimed a 1-point lead by the end of the quarter as it began taking to the paint itself. Terrence Shannon Jr., one of two former Brad Underwood protégés at Illinois on Minnesota's roster, showed flashes of being a fastbreak finisher for the Wolves off the bench as he took cross-court drives to the house.

Minnesota outpaced Detroit in the fastbreak with 20 points to 11 by game's end as it limited a usual strength for the Eastern Conference contender. Detroit's resilience was put on full display as it put the game away late with a 4th-quarter clinic from the paint, which was punctuated by a pinpoint lob to Ausar Thompson for a highlight slam.

The Pistons would outshine the Timberwolves with an 8-point difference in the paint and on the boards by the final horn. Detroit would complement its short-range game with 10 3-point makes, including five from the duo of Jenkins and Duncan Robinson.

It has had its moments from long range over its last five games with two selective-but-efficient nights from the 3-point line that saw it hit more than 50% of its tries. Detroit, which already ranks towards the bottom of the league in 3-point attempts per game, nearly matched the Wolves in 3-point makes despite taking 19 fewer shots from long range.

The Pistons will move on to face the Philadelphia 76ers for the fourth and final time in their regular season campaign. Detroit has defeated Philadelphia in its last three matchups. The run has been highlighted by a 131-109 win at Little Caesars Arena behind seven double-figure outings from the Pistons.

While Philly is tied with the Toronto Raptors at 13.5 games behind Detroit, the Sixers remain just out of Play-In contention after the Raptors fell in their last two matchups, including one against the Pistons to cap off their March schedule.

The Pistons will tip off against the 76ers at 7:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday in Xfinity Mobile Arena. The game will be broadcast on NBA TV and FanDuel Sports Network - Detroit.