wolves gameday

7 P.M. VS. DALLAS • TARGET CENTER • FSN, 830-AM

Preview: The Wolves, who have lost two in a row after starting the season 3-0, get their first look at a Mavericks team that is quite different from the one that missed the playoffs last season. Dallas rebuilt the team around veterans Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion, signing guard Monta Ellis for his scoring, guard Jose Calderon for his passing and center Samuel Dalembert for his defense. Dallas has victories over Atlanta, Memphis and the Los Angeles Lakers, all at home; the Mavs are 0-2 on the road, including Wednesday's loss at Oklahoma City.

Players to watch: Wolves F Kevin Love has two games this season with at least 25 points, 15 rebounds and five assists. The rest of the NBA has none. Love has had three consecutive games with five or more assists. He is second in the league in scoring. SG Kevin Martin has scored 23 or more points in four of five games, including his past three. He is shooting 45.2 percent overall, 56 percent on three-pointers. Mavericks G Ellis leads the Mavs and is tied for ninth in the league in scoring (24.0). He is shooting 51.9 percent overall. PF Nowitzki is averaging 19.4 points and 5.6 rebounds.

Numbers: In the past two games, Martin is 7-for-13 on three-pointers while the rest of the Wolves are 2-for-31. Love's 131 points through five games are the most by a Wolves player in more than a decade.

Injuries: Wolves F Chase Budinger (knee surgery) and C Ronny Turiaf (elbow) are out. Dallas PG Devin Harris (toe), F Brandan Wright (shoulder) and G Shane Larkin (ankle) and Devin Harris (foot surgery) are out

Kent Youngblood