wolves gameday
8 p.m. at DENVER • PEPSI CENTER • CH. 29, 830-AM
Preview: The Wolves ended a six-game losing streak with Wednesday's victory over Washington. But they have a tall order in Denver. The Nuggets' dismantling of the Clippers Thursday night was Denver's seventh consecutive victory overall and the 12th in a row at home. The Wolves, meanwhile, are 7-22 on the road overall and have won just one of their past 12 road games. The Wolves won in their last game at Denver Jan. 3. But that was the game in which Kevin Love broke his hand.
Players to watch: Wolves PG Ricky Rubio has 43 steals in his past 10 games, the most in a 10-game stretch since Ron Artest in 2002. F Derrick Williams has scored in double figures in six consecutive games. Denver G Ty Lawson leads the team in scoring (16.8) and assists (7.2). He had 21 points and 11 assists vs. the Clippers. F Danilo Gallinari (16.7 ppg) has scored 20-plus points in his past two games. F Kenneth Faried has averaged a double-double in seven career games vs. Minnesota.
Numbers: Denver leads the league in points in the paint (57 per game). Denver is also third in scoring (103.4). Minnesota has won two of the three games vs. Denver this season. Minnesota is 6-24 since Love hurt his hand Jan. 3.
Injuries: Wolves F Kevin Love (hand surgery), F Chase Budinger (knee surgery), F Andrei Kirilenko (left calf), C Nikola Pekovic (abdominal strain) and G Brandon Roy (right knee) are out. Denver has no reported injuries.
kent youngblood
