Preview: This is the last relative respite in the Timberwolves schedule for a while. Sacramento (16-51) is the only Western Conference team with fewer victories than the Wolves (17-53). The Kings have lost two in a row and eight of 10. After Sacramento, the Wolves play at Dallas, at Oklahoma City, vs. Boston, vs. Chicago and vs. Miami.

Players to watch: Interestingly, the Kings are one of only two teams (the Lakers being the other) to keep F Kevin Love under 10 points and 10 boards in the same game. Love had eight points and nine rebounds in the Wolves' victory Nov. 10. But that game also featured F Michael Beasley's career-high 42-point performance. G Marcus Thornton has averaged 21 points in the 12 games since the Kings traded for him Feb. 23. That includes a career-high 42 against Golden State on Monday. DeMarcus Cousins has averaged 18.8 points and 11.8 rebounds in his past nine games; C Samuel Dalembert has averaged 16.3 points and 11.8 rebounds in his past four.

Numbers: This is the rubber match between the teams. The Kings won here Oct. 27 and the Wolves won at Sacramento Nov. 10. The Wolves and Kings rank 10th and 19th in points per game, 30th and 29th in points allowed and first and fifth in rebounds per game.

Injuries: Beasley missed the end of Friday's game against the Lakers in Los Angeles because of a bruised left hip suffered on Andrew Bynum's hard foul. X-rays were negative, and Beasley said postgame that he would play Sunday. Kings G Tyreke Evans (left foot plantar fasciitis) and C Hassan Whiteside (left knee surgery) are out.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD