Preview: The Timberwolves need to win to salvage anything out of their six-game homestand. They are 1-4 with a two-game road trip looming, and they have lost two in a row and 13 of 15. The key, according to coach Rick Adelman, is defense. "We're working on trying to get back to some of the basics," he said. "I think one thing that's happened with everything that's gone on with our team, guys are kind of hanging their heads. You can't give in to that." The Knicks' five-game winning streak ended in Washington on Wednesday, but they still have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.
Players to watch: Wolves C Nikola Pekovic and F Derrick Williams are coming off double-doubles against the Spurs on Wednesday night. Williams had a career-high 12 rebounds. PG Ricky Rubio has 25 assists his last two games. ... Knicks F Carmelo Anthony has scored 58 points his past two games. G/F J.R. Smith has averaged 17.7 points in four February games. F/C Amare Stoudemire, off the bench, has averaged 20 points in his past three games.
Injuries: Wolves F Kevin Love (hand), F Chase Budinger (knee), F Andrei Kirilenko (quad), G Malcolm Lee (knee, hip) and G Brandon Roy (knee) are out. Knicks F Rasheed Wallace (foot) and F/C Marcus Camby (foot) are out.
KENT YOUNGBLOOD
