Minnesota @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 6, 2019 ) Minnesota 114, Detroit 131

Star forward Blake Griffin is expected to make his season debut for the Detroit Pistons on Monday against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves. The six-time All-Star has been nursing knee and hamstring issues since the preseason and ESPN reported Sunday that the 30-year-old is ready to return.

With Griffin and guards Derrick Rose (hamstring), Reggie Jackson (back) and Tim Frazier (shoulder) sidelined, the Pistons fell 112-106 at Indiana on Friday. They'll face a Timberwolves squad that rallied to force overtime Sunday against Denver at home before falling 100-98. Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 25 points apiece for Minnesota, which has already endured three OT games - two in a row. Detroit has won eight straight meetings with Minnesota after the Timberwolves took the previous 10.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (5-4): Minnesota erased a 16-point deficit in the final six-plus minutes of regulation Sunday and it hopes the strong finish can have an impact at Detroit. "We understand we play tomorrow," coach Ryan Saunders told reporters. "We said with about six minutes left, we're going to make one push here, give it about a minute and a half. We're down 16. These guys came back, they fought. I give so much credit to our players." Point guard Jeff Teague has missed three straight games with an illness and remains day-to-day.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (4-6): Griffin will be on a minutes restriction against the Timberwolves, although that number will not be determined until just prior to game time. "Before the game, I'll know," he told reporters Sunday. "I'll put that in my mind and do what I can in those minutes." Markieff Morris has been holding down Griffin's spot in the starting five and is averaging 12 points and 3.7 rebounds.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Rose and Frazier both practiced Sunday but coach Dwane Casey did not say whether they'll play against Minnesota.

2. Towns made three of a season-high 14 3-point tries Sunday.

3. Pistons SG Luke Kennard is averaging 22.3 points over his last four games.

PREDICTION: Pistons 108, Timberwolves 104