Originally Posted by Associated Press

Pistons rest starters, lose to Timberwolves

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- Wally Szczerbiak scored 22 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves over the Detroit Pistons 96-92 in their final preseason game on Friday night.

Maurice Evans had a game-high 24 points to lead Detroit, including 17 in the second quarter as the Pistons built a 54-44 halftime lead. Carlos Arroyo added 17 for Detroit.

Rasheed Wallace had 12 points, Carlos Delfino 11 and Darko Milicic 10 for the Pistons.

Szczerbiak led six Minnesota players in double figures. Anthony Carter finished with 15, Michael Olowokandi and Eddie Griffin each had 13, Marko Jaric had 12 and Rashad McCants finished with 11.

"The second half, that's the way we need to play," first-year Timberwolves head coach Dwane Casey said. "The effort we had in the first half will get us right back into the (draft) lottery if we carry that into the regular season."

Evans scored 17 of his points in the second quarter as the Pistons built a 54-44 halftime lead.

Detroit played without starters Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Ben Wallace.