Pistons fend off Edwards' charge

Balanced team scoring helps Detroit to win despite 53-pt barrage from Minnesota star

- AFP, REUTERS

Anthony Edwards was the Minnesota Timberwolves' biggest weapon, but the Detroit Pistons still found a way to overcome that threat and claim victory in the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Jan 4.

Cade Cunningham scored 40 points to lead the home side, who withstood a career-high 53 points from Edwards to beat the Timberwolves 119-105.

Edwards, who had voiced frustration after averaging just 16.3 points over the last three games in the face of strong double-team defense, found plenty of ways to score.

He connected on 16 of his 31 shots from the field, including 10 of 15 from three-point range, and made 11 of his 12 free-throw attempts.

But he had little scoring support and the Timberwolves trailed virtually all the way against a Pistons team powered by Cunningham, who notched his season high in points and added six rebounds and nine assists.

Unlike Edwards, Cunningham had plenty of backup.

Malik Beasley added 23 points off the bench for the Pistons, Tobias Harris scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Ausar Thompson finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and six steals.