Preview: The Wolves will try to bounce back from Wednesday's home loss to Houston. It was Minnesota's second consecutive loss and its fourth in five games. Phoenix lost to Indiana on Friday -- the first of a three-game road trip -- and has dropped four in a row. The game is the return to Minnesota of two former Wolves in Michael Beasley and Wes Johnson. Beasley (10.5 ppg) is a regular contributor off the bench while Johnson (2.3) can't find playing time.

Players to watch: Wolves F Kevin Love is coming off a 3-for-14, seven-point night against Houston that came after missing one game because of an injured eye. C Nikola Pekovic appears fully back from the illness that limited him vs. Houston. G Goran Dragic leads the Suns in scoring (14.1) and has scored in double figures in 23 of 38 games. G Shannon Brown's 12.9 scoring average is a career high.

Numbers: Wolves F Andrei Kirilenko needs two steals to reach 1,000 for his career. Pekovic has averaged 19.8 points in his past eight games. The Suns have won nine of the past 10 between the teams.

Injuries: For the Wolves, G Brandon Roy (knee surgery), F Chase Budinger (knee surgery) and G Malcolm Lee (knee) are out. Phoenix F Channing Frye (enlarged heart) is out.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD