wolves gameday

6 P.M. at CHARLOTTE • TIME WARNER CABLE ARENA • FSN, 830-AM

Preview: Just one game over .500 after having split a four-game homestand, and with time running out to make a playoff run, the Wolves travel to face Charlotte. The Bobcats are three games under .500 but are solidly in the race for an Eastern Conference playoff spot. They stand in seventh place in the East, have won two consecutive games and four of their past five.

Players to watch: Wolves F Kevin Love is coming off a 27-point, 10-rebound, six-assist game vs. Milwaukee. G Kevin Martin scored 26 in that game. Bobcats center Al Jefferson is coming off a 26-point, 13-rebound effort vs. Washington on Wednesday. He is the only player in the Eastern Conference averaging 20 or more points and 10 or more rebounds per game. G Kemba Walker is averaging 17.9 points and 5.7 assists per game.

Numbers: The Wolves beat the Bobcats, who were without Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, by 27 points in Minneapolis on Jan. 10. The Bobcats' 31 victories are more than they won the previous two seasons combined. Charlotte is the 13th team in NBA history able to say that. The Bobcats have the most victories in the NBA in games decided by six points or fewer (14). Minnesota is 4-1 in its past five road games.

Injuries: Wolves C Ronny Turiaf (knee) is out. Charlotte C Brendan Haywood (foot) and G/F Jeffery Taylor (Achilles' tendon) are out. G/F Gerald Henderson returned from a calf injury to score 13 points vs. Washington.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD