wolves gameday

7 P.M. VS. Brooklyn • Target Center • FSN, 830-AM

Preview: After so much money spent and so many expectations, the Nets have lost six of their past seven games, are 3-8 and tied with the rival New York Knicks for the Atlantic Division's worst record. The latest defeat was Wednesday's 95-91 loss at Charlotte. They trailed by 14 points in the fourth quarter and held the Bobcats to a season-low 12 fourth-quarter points but couldn't get any closer than two points down the stretch. … The Wolves and Nets split last season's series, with the Wolves erasing a 22-point, second-half deficit to win 107-96 at Brooklyn in November and the Nets winning 91-83 at Target Center in January.

Players to watch: Nets forward Kevin Garnett returns to Target Center, where he starred for the Wolves for 12 seasons. He is 7-0, all as a Celtic, against the team that drafted him fifth overall in 1995 since he was traded to Boston in 2007. He averaged 14.9 points and 10.3 rebounds in those games. He is averaging 6.6 points and 7.8 rebounds for the Nets in 10 games. … Nets veteran Reggie Evans is starting at center and Shaun Livingston at point guard for injured Brook Lopez and Deron Williams, respectively.

Injuries: Wolves F Chase Budinger (meniscus knee surgery) and C Ronny Turiaf (elbow) are out, F Shabazz Muhammad (sprained ankle) is questionable. Nets G Deron Williams (ankle), C Brook Lopez (sprained ankle) and F Andrei Kirilenko (back spasms) are out.

JERRY ZGODA