Pistons vs. Timberwolves Gameday

The skinny: Minnesota had been a pretty hot team until the Pistons went into the Twin Cities two weeks ago, spotted the Timberwolves a big lead on a night they sat out Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace, then came back to win behind their bench, led by Rodney Stuckey’s career-high 27 points. Minnesota went on to lose its next five games after that one, but rebounded with back-to-back weekend road wins at Orlando and Memphis. In Friday’s comeback win over the Magic, Orlando used its starters extensively, too – Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis all played 37 minutes or more. Since the Pistons last saw Minnesota, the T-wolves have made a starting lineup switch, putting veteran Kirk Snyder in at small forward for first-round rookie Corey Brewer. Al Jefferson leads Minnesota, averaging 21 points and 11.1 rebounds a game. Randy Foye, who missed the first half of the season, gives Minnesota a shot to compete every night. With Sebastian Telfair still nursing an ankle injury, Foye is the only legitimate point guard on the roster. Valuable interior backup Craig Smith has missed the past few games with a chest injury.

What to watch: It’ll be more of the same for the Pistons – expect the starters to play about half the game. Flip Saunders said Monday he might rest “one guy” – Chauncey Billups sat out Monday’s practice, complaining of general soreness, so it makes sense that he’d be the guy, especially given the Pistons’ backcourt depth and the desire to give minutes to Lindsey Hunter to judge his postseason readiness. A win for the Pistons would clinch home-court advantage in the NBA Finals should they get that far. The only Western Conference team with a chance to hold home court over the Pistons is the Lakers, who play their regular-season finale tonight against Sacramento. Stuckey is averaging 15 points in seven April games. Over Jason Maxiell’s last five games, he’s averaging 13.2 points and seven rebounds and is shooting 68 percent.

Probable Starters

Prince McDyess Wallace Hamilton Billups Forward Forward Center Guard Guard Snyder Gomes Jefferson Jaric Foye