wolves gameday

7:30 P.M. at Dallas • American Airlines Center • FSN, 830-AM

Preview: One of the most arduous road trips in Timberwolves history finally comes to an end. On the back end of the second back-to-back on this trip, the Wolves play the Mavericks, who have won three of their past four games. The Wolves are 1-5 on the road.

Players to watch: This will be Minnesota's first look at J.J. Barea since parting ways with him before the season. Barea returned to Dallas, his original NBA team, and is averaging 6.3 points off the bench. F Dirk Nowitzki, averaging 20.9 points, needs 26 to become one of four players in NBA history to score 27.000 points with one franchise (Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan).

Numbers: Dallas ranks first in the NBA in scoring (107.1) and field goal percentage (48.2).

Injuries: Wolves G Ricky Rubio (ankle) and F Thaddeus Young (personal) are out. Mavericks G Raymond Felton (ankle) is probable.

Kent Youngblood