Preview: The Nets, on fire under interim coach P.J. Carlesimo, come to Target Center on a two-game winning streak, having beaten Atlanta and New York. This is the second of a four-game road swing for them. The Timberwolves ran into a wall in the second half of Monday's loss at Atlanta and have lost six of seven games.

Players to watch: Wolves F Derrick Williams led the Wolves with 17 points Monday in Atlanta, his third consecutive game in double figures. Nets F Joe Johnson had 25 points in Brooklyn's victory over the Nets on Monday. Johnson has averaged 19.9 points per game in January. G Deron Williams is coming off a 14-point, 12-assist effort vs. New York, his 12th double-double this season.

Numbers: The Nets are 11-2 since Carlesimo took over coaching the team after Avery Johnson was fired. The Wolves have won six of their last seven games with the Nets, including a 107-96 victory in Brooklyn on Nov. 5. In their last eight games, the Wolves are being outscored by an average of 5.1 points in the fourth quarter, and allowing opponents to shoot 54 percent.

Injuries: Wolves F Kevin Love (hand surgery), F Chase Budinger (knee surgery), G Malcolm Lee (knee and hip surgery), G Brandon Roy (right knee) and C Nikola Pekovic (quad contusion) are out. G Alexey Shved (left ankle) is doubtful.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD