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 With the victory, Detroit will have home-court advantage over any Western Conference opponent if it makes the NBA Finals. The Pistons will start the postseason as the Eastern Conference's second seed behind Boston.
The loss, which ended Minnesota's two-game winning streak, was its 60th of the season. The Timberwolves finish the season with a home game against Milwaukee on Wednesday.
Chauncey Billups added 17 points and six assists against his former team, while Al Jefferson led Minnesota with 30 points.
The first half followed Detroit's recent pattern. The starters kept the game close in the opening quarter
-- the Pistons led 24-23 at period's end -- and the reserves convincingly won the second quarter.
This time, it was Hayes and Lindsey Hunter combining for 20 points as the Pistons pulled to a 52-43 halftime lead.
Detroit's starters returned for the third period, expanding the margin to 14, then let the reserves finish off the game.
Notes: As part of a season-long promotion, the Pistons gave away a $250,000 house at halftime. The winner was Tina Howard of Macomb Township. ... According to a team spokesman, Detroit will start the playoffs Sunday against Philadelphia, but the game time has not been announced. ... The Timberwolves finished 1-14 in road games against Eastern Conference opponents this season. ... Detroit concludes the regular season Wednesday in Cleveland.
[Associated Press]
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