Up next: New Jersey

Last update: December 29, 2006 - 9:01 PM

Preview: This would appear to be a good game for the Wolves to grab one on the road. The Nets are slumping. They had lost their past four games before winning 91-81 Friday in Miami.

Players to watch: Watch to see if Vince Carter appears interested. He hasn't lately. In the eight games before Friday's game vs. the Heat, Carter -- who has carried the Nets the past two seasons -- is averaging 20.8 points per game on 51-for-145 shooting (35.1 percent). Take away his one good game in that stretch -- 38 points vs. Cleveland -- and his scoring average was 18 points. He scored 23 Friday night against Miami. ... Jason Kidd is nearly averaging a triple-double (13.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 9.3 assists) ... The game will be a challenge for Wolves guard Randy Foye, fresh off having his high school jersey retired before the game. He went to high school in Newark, N.J.

Numbers: The Wolves have won four of the past five vs. the Nets, but New Jersey won the last one, March 23 in New Jersey. The Wolves lead 17-15 in the all-time series but are only 5-11 in Jersey. The Nets are 1-5 in the second half of back-to-backs this season, and the Wolves are 3-5.

Injuries: Rashad McCants, still recuperating from knee surgery, is the only Wolves player out. For the Nets, Nenad Krstic (knee) and Cliff Robinson (knee) are out.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD

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