Foye, a Newark native, had 23 points and a career-high 14 assists, and the Timberwolves beat the Detroit Pistons, 106-80, for their first road victory of the season yesterday in Auburn Hills, Mich.

"Tonight showed what kind of player Randy can be," Minnesota coach Randy Wittman said. "We've been talking to him for the last two days, telling him that he needed to be more aggressive."

Foye attacked the basket and the slumping Timberwolves came alive.

"Everything seemed simple tonight," he said. "Coach told me to go for it, and there was a lot of energy out there."

Minnesota came into the game with a 2-9 record, including 0-5 on the road, and had just lost 95-78 to Boston on Thursday.

"We weren't happy with the way we lost to Boston, and we knew we were playing a similar team tonight," said Ryan Gomes, who scored 20 points. "Tonight, we did the job."

The Timberwolves dominated the lethargic Pistons, who have lost three of four. Detroit fell to 4-5 since Allen Iverson joined the team on Nov. 7.

"I stunk up the gym tonight," said Iverson, who scored nine points on 3-of-11 shooting. "I couldn't do anything right on the offensive end. It was one of the nights you wish you never have, but they happen.

"It will be tough to sleep tonight."

Al Jefferson had 19 points for Minnesota and reserve Craig Smith scored 16.

Tayshaun Prince led the Pistons with 20 points, but Jason Maxiell was the only other player to reach double figures with 12.

"My top three guards were 5-for-27, but they've played enough Basketball that they know they can't get frustrated," Detroit coach Michael Curry said. "Add in Rasheed Wallace, and it is 8-for-37. You aren't going to win many games like that."

The Timberwolves took control with first-half defense, holding Detroit to just 28 percent shooting while building a 44-34 lead. Gomes had 13 points and six rebounds in the half.

In other Pistons news, Antonio McDyess' agent Andy Miller confirmed the former All-Star and Olympian will re-sign with Detroit next month.

* Celtics 118, Raptors 103: In Toronto, Ray Allen scored 21 points and Boston Celtics from the start in winning their fifth straight game.

Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Tony Allen each scored 15 points for the Celtics, who have won 11 of 12 since a Nov. 1 loss to Indiana.

Kendrick Perkins had 12 points and Paul Pierce and Eddie House each scored 11 in helping Boston score a season high. Its previous best was 110 points in a Nov. 18 victory over the Knicks.

Chris Bosh led Toronto with 24 points, while Jose Calderon had 14 points and nine assists. Andrea Bargnani and Anthony Parker had 14 apiece for the Raptors, who are 2-4 at home.

Boston wasted little time in building a 10-0 lead, forcing Toronto to call a timeout at 8:37 of the first after missing their first five field goal attempts.

Toronto forward Jermaine O'Neal left the game in the second quarter after falling following a missed jump shot. O'Neal started despite straining his surgically repaired left knee in the fourth quarter of Friday's overtime loss to the Nets.

* Sixers 89, Warriors 81: In Philadelphia, Elton Brand had 23 points and 12 rebounds, Andre Iguodala added 15 points and Philadelphia moved above .500 for the first time this season.

Brand entered the game shooting 43 percent from the field but was 10-of-22 from the field and registered his seventh double-double in arguably the best performance this season for the Sixers' marquee free agent. Brand left the Los Angeles Clippers for a five-year, $80 million contract with Philadelphia on July 9.

Thaddeus Young contributed 12 points and Samuel Dalembert had 16 rebounds for the Sixers, who improved to 7-6 and snapped a five-game losing streak to the Warriors.

Kelenna Azubuike scored 16 while C.J. Watson and Stephen Jackson had 12 apiece for Golden State, which dropped its second in a row. Andris Biedrins had 10.