Beasley, Towns lead T-wolves rally past Pistons 111-101

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Malik Beasley scored 23 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 22 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, leading Minnesota Timberwolves' rally to beat Detroit Pistons 111-101 on Wednesday night in season opener.

D'Angelo Russell pitched in 18 points, and Anthony Edwards — first overall pick in NBA draft last month — added 15 points in his debut as Timberwolves overcame a deficit that often reached double digits and was still 12 points midway through third quarter.

Josh Jackson (19 points) and Derrick Rose (15 points) provided plenty of production off bench, but Pistons sputtered down stretch as Timberwolves cranked up ir defense and were outscored 31-16 in fourth quarter.

Towns, who made Minnesota's first basket after an 0-for-7 start, gave Timberwolves ir first lead at 98-97 on a 3-pointer with 3:38 remaining.

Russell hit one with 2:05 left for a 103-101 edge, Towns rebounded a missed deep shot on or end by Derrick Rose, and Beasley buried one with 1:28 to go to send Wolves on ir way.

Blake Griffin, six-time All-Star, had 15 points and seven rebounds after his 2019-20 season was limited to 18 games by an injury to left knee that has hampered him throughout his career. first overall pick in 2009 draft was one of few prominent players left after overhaul commissioned by new general manr Troy Weaver, still plenty capable of carrying load. Griffin, though, mand only one shot attempt in fourth quarter.

Russell came off bench and Ricky Rubio started at point guard for Wolves due to Russell's late arrival for morning shootaround because he was completing COVID-19 protocols. Coach Ryan Saunders, as promised, had eir Russell or Rubio on floor at all times, even toger for a stretch in third quarter in an extreme small-ball lineup with Beasley and Edwards.

Beasley, who was acquired in a four-team trade from Denver in February before Russell arrived in a deal with Golden State, displayed his score-from-anywhere skill that enticed Wolves to re-sign him to a $60 million contract despite a felony count of threats of violence he recently pleaded guilty to after an incident at his suburban home.

TIP-INS

Pistons: Mason Plumlee pitched in 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

Timberwolves: team held a moment of silence in empty arena for Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, mor of Towns who died of complications from COVID-19 in April.

UP NEXT

Pistons: Host Cleveland on Saturday for ir home opener.

Timberwolves: Start a three-game road trip at Utah on Saturday.

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