Ben Wallace and Larry Brown returned on Wednesday night from long absences.

Wallace returned from a nine-day absence and made his presence felt inside while Brown guided the team for the first time since the season opener as the Pistons posted a 93-85 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Wallace missed Detroit's last two contests following the death of his brother, and the Pistons dropped both games. He had seven points - including a key three-point play in the final minute - 10 rebounds and three blocks in helping the Pistons improve to 3-0 at home this season.

"My legs were a little bit fresher," Wallace said. "That's usually the way we play D, and we have to get back playing that way night in, night out."

Brown coached the team for the first time since opening night, when the squad celebrated its 2004 NBA title. Brown underwent left hip surgery the next day and had been sidelined ever since.

In picking up his 937th career victory - one shy of Hall of Famer Red Auerbach for fifth place on the all-time list - a limping Brown clearly was hampered by the procedure but managed to get Detroit's mini-slide turned around.

"(Pistons president Joe Dumars) told me I was the first coach to ever be a game-time decision," Brown said. "I was tired. I felt like I played."