AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Kevin Garnett collected 25 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks Friday night as the Minnesota Timberwolves posted an 88-87 triumph over the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit lost for the seventh time in eight games but may have bigger problems after using newly acquired Rasheed Wallace and Mike James in violation of NBA policy.
Wallace logged 12 minutes and James' five in the first half. During intermission, coach Larry Brown was alerted by the league that proper paperwork had not been filed and both players were ineligible for the second half.
The Pistons were within 47-41 at halftime, but Minnesota -- which
may have been able to protest the game had it lost -- built a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter before hanging on down the stretch.
Nursing an 85-81 advantage, the Timberwolves missed five of eight free throws in the final 31 seconds. Sam Cassell, who made 61 straight attempts earlier this season, went 2-of-4 and Latrell Sprewell was 1-of-4.
The poor shooting gave Detroit a chance to win with 1.3 seconds to go, but Darvin Ham's long inbounds pass was tipped and stolen by Cassell.
