MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ With Joe Smith no longer a member of the team, the Minnesota Timberwolves got 17 points from Terrell Brandon to beat the Detroit Pistons 88-81 Thursday night in the teams' final exhibition game.

Brandon, playing in his second game since missing four with an injured hip, shot 7-for-11 from the field. He teamed with Sam Jacobson to lead a 14-2 third-quarter-ending spurt that put Minnesota up 72-66.

Wally Szczerbiak, who missed Minnesota's first six preseason games while recovering from surgery on his right knee, had 10 points _ all in the first half. Kevin Garnett added 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Minnesota played without Smith for the first time since NBA commissioner David Stern voided his contract, and the Wolves seemed to miss the forward's presence on the boards. The Pistons outrebounded Minnesota 54-43, including 20-10 in the first quarter.

Jerry Stackhouse, who became the Pistons' primary scoring threat when Grant Hill left for Orlando, scored 16 points but shot just 5-for-19.

Ben Wallace had 10 rebounds for Detroit, which led by as many as 12 in the first half.