Twolves rout Pistons for first road win

Last Wednesday, the Detroit Pistons played perhaps their best game since the Chauncy Billups/Alan Iverson trade as they ended Cleveland’s eight game winning streak with a decisive triumph.  It’s been all downhill since, beginning with an 18 point blowout loss at Boston the following night.  The Pistons struggles may have reached a nadir, however, as they were dominated at home on Sunday by the lowly Minnesota TWolves.  The Wolves routed the Pistons 106-80 to win for the first time all season on the road and improve their overall record to 3-9.

Minnesota was led by Randy Foye, who played one of his best games as a professional as he led his team in four statistical categories including 23 points and 14 assists.  According to TWolves coach Randy Wittman, Foye had taken some constructive criticism to heart:

"Tonight showed what kind of player Randy can be. We've been talking to him for the last two days, telling him that he needed to be more aggressive."

Not only was Foye more aggressive, he was downright dominant as he attacked the basket with abandon and repeatedly found open teammates when the Pistons double teamed him.  Foye sounded somewhat surprised with how easily the game came to him:

"Everything seemed simple tonight. Coach told me to go for it, and there was a lot of energy out there."

With the blowout loss, the Pistons dropped to 4-5 with Alan Iverson in the lineup.  That record is made even more difficult for Detroit to swallow as their partners in the trade, the Denver Nuggets, have streaked to an 8-2 record with Chauncy Billups in the lineup.  

Minnesota’s energy extended to the defensive end of the floor as well.  The Twolves shut down most of the Pistons’ big offensive threats—Tayshaun Prince scored 20, but Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Iverson were all held to single digits.  In the process, Minnesota limited the Pistons to 37% shooting for the game.  Iverson made no excuses for his substandard performance:

"I stunk up the gym tonight. I couldn't do anything right on the offensive end. It was one of the nights you wish you never have, but they happen. It will be tough to sleep tonight."

Detroit plays their next three games at home, with New York, Milwaukee and Portland coming to town during Thanksgiving week.  Minnesota returns home for a game against Phoenix on Wednesday followed by a road game at Oklahoma City on Friday.  They’ll return home Saturday for a home date against the red hot Denver Nuggets.