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Friday, Dec. 15 8:00pm ET
Wolves prevail in reunion with Smith

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Joe Smith was back on the court with his friends from Minnesota, just in a different uniform.

Kevin Garnett
Ben Wallace and the Pistons had no answer for Kevin Garnett, who finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.

The Timberwolves treated their former teammate like a family member before and after the game, but beat Smith's new club, the Detroit Pistons, 99-90 Friday night.

"Once we got out there it was just like a normal game," said Smith, who scored 16 points. "You kind of look at it, as much as possible, like any other team that you're going against."

Kevin Garnett led Minnesota to its fifth win in six nights with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Minnesota guards Terrell Brandon, Chauncey Billups and Anthony Peeler combined for 48 points.

Smith was greeted with handshakes and hugs from T-Wolves players, then went out and scored seven points in the first five minutes of the game.

He signed a one-year contract with the Pistons on Nov. 20 after his contract with the Timberwolves was voided by the NBA in October because of a secret agreement that violated the salary cap.

The NBA fined the Timberwolves $3.5 million and took away five first-round draft picks as punishment for the Smith deal. One of the picks was reinstated after Minnesota owner Glen Taylor and VP Kevin McHale agreed to stay away from the team until the summer.

"He looks good and it looks like he's fitting in with the guys," Garnett said of Smith.

Smith, who entered the game averaging 10.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in 22.9 minutes a game, said he's happy in Detroit.

"The transition has been easy," Smith said. "The guys have made it as smooth as possible. It's just a matter of time before I get really comfortable out on the floor."

He wears a black wristband on his elbow with "2" stitched on it in memory of former Minnesota teammate Malik Sealy, who died in a car accident in May.

Jerry Stackhouse paced the Pistons with 29 points.

The Pistons led for most of the first half and were ahead by as much as nine on several occasions.

But Minnesota opened the second half with eight straight points to take a 51-47 lead and the momentum for good. The Pistons briefly regained the lead in the third quarter, before Minnesota responded with an 11-3 run to take a 75-68 lead.

"They just outplayed us in the second half," Detroit coach George Irvine said. "They beat us on the boards, they stopped our break because we couldn't get a rebound."

Minnesota outrebounded Detroit 28-14 in the second half.

"We've been getting killed on the boards on this road trip," Garnett said. "We made a conscious effort to go out in the second half and focus on rebounding."

Game notes
The Timberwolves have won five of their last six games. ... It was "Big Hair, No Hair Night" at the Palace. Anyone who met either description could buy a ticket for $5. Anyone willing to let their head be shaved could get in for free.


ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard

Minnesota Clubhouse

Detroit Clubhouse

RECAPS
Cleveland 103
Indiana 95

Dallas 112
Philadelphia 94

Charlotte 103
Washington 89

Sacramento 104
Boston 81

Utah 89
New York 58

Minnesota 99
Detroit 90

Atlanta 85
Chicago 74

Milwaukee 104
Toronto 97

LA Clippers 98
Phoenix 88

Portland 106
Orlando 96

Seattle 99
Miami 81

LA Lakers 98
Vancouver 76

FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT

Jerry Stackhouse Official Site

Kevin Garnett Official Site


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