Preview: The Kings are 4-9, but they've figured out something in the past three games, beating the Lakers (by 16 points) and Jazz at home and losing by two at Utah. They've scored 100 or more points and are shooting 52.8 percent from the field in those three games. The Kings are ranked second in the NBA in points in the paint, averaging 47.4 points a game. And the Wolves' defense has been susceptible in that area recently. The Wolves beat the Kings 92-82 at Target Center on opening night. The Kings are 4-4 at home but 0-5 on the road this season.

Players to watch: Kings G Tyreke Evans recently is looking more like the guy who won the 2010 Rookie of the Year award rather than the player of the past two seasons. He's averaging 21.4 points in his past four games and is coming off a 27-point, five-rebound, five-assist, two-steal game in a 108-97 home victory over the Jazz on Saturday. Three nights after he watched former player Carl Landry hurt his Wolves with some fourth-quarter dirty work inside, Rick Adelman meets G Aaron Brooks, whom he also coached at Houston. Brooks is shooting 72.7 percent from the field, including 64.7 percent from threes, and is averaging 14.3 points starting in the backcourt with Evans the past three games. The NBA on Monday fined Brooks $25,000 for throwing his mouthpiece into the stands after Friday's loss at Utah.

Injuries: Wolves F Andrei Kirilenko, G Malcolm Lee and G J.J. Barea all took it easy during Monday's practice because they're banged up, but all are expected to play. G Ricky Rubio (knee surgery) and F Chase Budinger (knee surgery) are out.

JERRY ZGODA