Timberwolves Win 3rd Straight, 112-101 Over Pistons

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Nikola Pekovic scored 29 points and Kevin Martin added 24 to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves to their third straight victory, 112-101 over the sluggish Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.

Minnesota had not even won back-to-back games this season until this modest streak. The Timberwolves led throughout against the Pistons despite the absence of guard Ricky Rubio, who is still recovering from a left ankle injury. Andrew Wiggins scored 18 points for Minnesota, and Thaddeus Young added 16.

Andre Drummond had 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Pistons, going 8 of 8 from the field.

Detroit trailed 74-55 in the third quarter before fighting back to make a game of it. It was 83-79 early in the fourth, but a 3-pointer by Wiggins started an 18-6 run for Minnesota.

The Timberwolves have won 10 straight over the Pistons.

Rubio out for Timberwolves against Detroit

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Minnesota guard Ricky Rubio is out for Sunday night's game at Detroit while still recovering from a left ankle injury.

Rubio missed 42 games because of the injury. Friday night's win over Memphis was his third game back.

The Timberwolves say he hasn't been cleared to play in back-to-back games, and they host Atlanta on Monday night.

Rubio led Minnesota to a victory Friday, but he appeared to tweak the ankle in the fourth quarter. He was able to return to that game.