Minnesota Timberwolves Lose Final Preseason Game at Buzzer to Detroit Pistons 99-98

A 3-pointer by Josh Smith as the last seconds of the game wound down sealed the Minnesota Timberwolves(4-3) fate as the lost their last preseason game to the Detroit Pistons 99-98.

Oct 24, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love (42) makes a dunk on Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Timberwolves 99-98. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

But the Wolves didn’t go down without a fight. J.J. Barea’s driving layup off the glass with 3.6 seconds left gave the Wolves a 98-96 lead before Smith heaved up a long three just before the final horn that hit the rim, bounded in the air, then fell in as the horn sounded.

Adelman praised Barea for his conditioning, shooting and play over the entire preseason.

“I’ve got to keep this rhythm up,” Barea said. “I feel great, I feel healthy. … My shot feels great. Me, everybody, if we’re open, we’ll shoot ’em. If we shoot that much, we have to make some.”

Kevin Love had 19 points and 10 rebounds, Kevin Martin added 18 points and Ricky Rubio had 15 points for the night. But both coaches gave their younger players plenty of playing time.

Minnesota outscored Detroit 29-19 in the third quarter to take a 75-70 lead into the final period

Greg Monroe and Will Bynum each added 17 points, rookie Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 13 and Andre Drummond had 20 rebounds for the Pistons (4-4).