Game Preview #75 – Timberwolves vs. Pistons

The Timberwolves have had their best month of the season this March, losing only four games. Can the Wolves notch a critical win and close out strong against a physical Pistons team?

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Detroit Pistons
Date: March 30th, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM CDT
Location: Target Center
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM/Wolves App/iHeart Radio

The Wolves Handle Business Against Phoenix… But Now Comes the Real Test: Detroit

After three days off, the Wolves came out against Phoenix like they had something to prove. And boy, did they. From the jump, they swarmed Kevin Durant and Devin Booker like they owed them money. The ball was zipping around like it was connected to an electric fence, Julius Randle looked like the best version of himself, and the Wolves looked… whole again.

Let’s not gloss over the scare though: Anthony Edwards took a shot to the nose after colliding with Durant and had to leave the game in the first. For a few minutes, the entire city of Minneapolis forgot how to breathe. But like all great action heroes, Ant came back in the second half—bruised, slightly annoyed, and absolutely ready to make the Suns pay. The Wolves kept their foot on the gas and swept the season series against Phoenix, a team that started the year with title aspirations and now looks like they’d be lucky to win two games in the play-in.

That’s eight straight over the Suns, by the way. Might be time to update that rivalry status.

But now comes the real challenge—the classic Wolves trap game. Sunday night. Home floor. Detroit Pistons.

Let’s rewind for a second: back in January, when the Wolves were starting to find their identity and Detroit still felt like a D League team in NBA jerseys, Minnesota strolled into Little Caesars Arena like they’d already won the game. Ant dropped 53, and somehow the Wolves still lost. Not just lost—got smacked. The Pistons punched first, never stopped punching, and sent the Wolves home wondering what just happened.

Since then? Detroit’s been quietly turning into a real problem in the East. They’ve got size. They’ve got physicality. Nobody takes Detroit lightly anymore—and that’s the point. Minnesota can’t.

This is where the Wolves have to show they’ve learned something. One win over Phoenix doesn’t fix the three losses before it. But it can start the foundation of a strong finish. Minnesota has eight games left. They’re a half-game behind the Clippers and Warriors, both of whom are stumbling just enough to make a leap possible. The Lakers and Grizzlies are in full-on freefall. The table is set. You just have to sit down and eat.

So what do the Wolves need to do?

1. Match the Pistons’ Physicality.

Detroit is going to come in playing Big Ten football. They hit the glass, they fight in the paint, and they make you earn every bucket. Luckily, this version of the Wolves—when locked in—can bully back. Rudy Gobert has to own the rim on both ends. Julius needs to bring that same aggressive, downhill mindset he had against Phoenix. This game is going to be won in the trenches.

2. Let the Ball Fly… the Right Way.

Friday night was a clinic in how the Wolves should move the ball. That wasn’t hero ball. That was team basketball—swing passes, skip passes, drive-and-kicks. Julius was a willing passer, which tends to be a pretty good sign that the offense is cooking. When Ant’s in attack mode and looking for open teammates, not just heat checks from 30 feet, it’s contagious. Detroit will pressure the ball and collapse on drives. The Wolves need to punish that with quick decisions and open threes.

3. Don’t Get Cute.

Look, I love this team. But they have a nasty habit of looking at a less talented team and deciding to spend the night in cruise control. If they try that Sunday, Detroit will run them out of their own building again. Take care of the ball. Box out. Make your free throws. Don’t let Julius try to go 1-on-3 in transition like it’s a pickup game at LA Fitness.

4. Keep the Ant Train Rolling.

If he’s healthy (and his nose doesn’t resemble a Halloween prop), Ant needs to assert himself early. The Pistons don’t have a single guy who can stop him when he’s aggressive. We don’t need 53 points again—but we do need attitude. If Ant comes out locked in, the Wolves usually follow.

This game matters. A lot. Not just because it’s Detroit. But because it’s the kind of game that has burned this team before. And with only a handful of games left, you can’t afford to keep learning the same lesson.

So let’s see if this team is serious. Beat Detroit. Stack another win. And start climbing that Western Conference ladder before it’s too late.

AAPI Night Celebration

Leading up to tonight’s game, the Minnesota Timberwolves will also celebrate AAPI Night beginning with a skyway pregame pop-up.

Though the game tips off at 6:00pm CT, this free event begins hours prior, culminating to the full AAPI celebration during the game. AAPI Night is being presented by Asians and Pacific Islands Rising & Empowering (ASPIRE), the Timberwolves and Lynx Asian Employee Resource Groups.

The focus of this pop-up will be Savouré, a local Vietnamese restaurant from downtown Minneapolis. Check out some of the other details below:

• Date: Sunday, March 30, 2025
• Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm CT
• Location: 601 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402 — Access skyway through the door next to My Burger. Signage on the door will direct you to the pop-up
• Cost: Free to attend, no game ticket necessary — Food/drink available for purchase with a portion of proceeds donated to Paper Lantern Project, a local AAPI non-profit benefiting Gender and Reproductive Justice
• Giveaways: AAPI stickers, “Lucky Crunch” pin for first 100 attendees designed by local artist Brenda Tran
• Activities: Rob Dillingham-themed photobooth (Dillingham identifies as half-Samoan), live DJ, family-friendly activities, and more

This will certainly be a great opportunity to a support local business and benefit a great cause. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, there has been a stark increase in anti-Asian discrimination and hate crimes. This continues well into 2025, potentially attributed to the H-1B discussion in our country.

There is not an easier way to support Minnesota’s AAPI community while enjoying the Timberwolves than to stop by this event. Take in the fun pop-up event, then cheer on the Wolves as a victory would help push their 2025 first round draft pick (Owed by the Pistons) from the #17 to 18 range, to #14 to 15 range.

All of the event details and contact information can be found on their website here.