Marcus Morris, Leuer lead Pistons over Timberwolves
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Marcus Morris scored a career-high 36 points and the Detroit Pistons collected a 116-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night at The Palace.
The six-year forward's previous season high was 28. He scored 34 points against Utah as a member of the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 6, 2015.
Jon Leuer supplied 24 points for the Pistons (23-27), who have won two straight following a three-game slide. Andre Drummond contributed 12 points and 18 rebounds and Tobias Harris chipped in 14 points for Detroit.
Karl-Anthony Towns led Minnesota (19-31) with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins had 21 points, Zach LaVine tossed in 20 points and Ricky Rubio added 16 points and seven assists for the Timberwolves.
The third quarter was tight, with neither side leading by more than six points. Morris made 3s on back-to-back possessions to give the Pistons a 74-70 lead. After Minnesota forged a tie, Morris scored two more baskets during a 7-0 Detroit spurt to end the quarter as it took an 83-76 lead into the fourth.
A transition layup by reserve guard Ish Smith nudged Detroit's advantage to double digits at 89-79. Rubio then scored five points during a 7-0 spurt that pulled the Timberwolves within three.
Following a timeout, the Pistons regained control. They reeled off six quick points, including a fast-break basket by Morris, prompting Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau to call timeout.
That didn't halt the Pistons' run, as Morris finished off the string of 10 consecutive points with two free throws to make the score 102-89.
The Timberwolves pushed back and when Wiggins completed a three-point play, Detroit's lead was down to 106-101. Morris then fired in a contested 20-footer to provide some breathing room. He added two free throws in the final minutes.
Morris carried Detroit's offense in the opening half with 15 points as the Pistons led 52-52 at the break. LaVine's 16 points led the Timberwolves, who trailed most of the half.
NOTES: Minnesota rookie point guard Kris Dunn was a late scratch because of a hand injury. ... Minnesota F Adreian Payne missed the game with an illness. ... The Pistons assigned F Henry Ellenson and G Michael Gbinije to their D-League affiliate in Grand Rapids, Mich. ... Detroit F Tobias Harris recorded his 2,000th career rebound against New Orleans on Wednesday. ... Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau wants C Karl-Anthony Towns, F Andrew Wiggins and G Zach LaVine to emerge as better defenders. "When you look at the teams that win in this league, thesy're strong on both sides of the ball," Thibodeau said. "That's what we're striving toward. We know we have a lot of work to do and the tone has to be set by those three guys." ... Both clubs were on the front end of back-to-backs. The Pistons play at Indiana on Saturday night, while Minnesota hosts Memphis.