Gameday: Wolves vs. Philadelphia

Last update: February 18, 2008 - 10:51 PM

Preview: The Wolves will end their five-day All-Star break by beginning the second "half" of the season. Thing is, there's only 31 games left. They will begin the second part of a stretch in which they play 10 of 11 games at home and look as if they won't make much hay with it. They have lost their past four at home, and after facing the 76ers, they have San Antonio, Dallas and Utah arriving after that. The Wolves have lost five consecutive games after winning five of their previous seven . ... The 76ers (23-30) won five in a row leading into the break, beating Memphis, Dallas, the L.A. Clippers, Miami and Washington, all at home.

Player to watch: Underrated Philadelphia center Samuel Dalembert is fourth in the league in blocked shots, with a 2.47 average. He has averaged 3.5 blocks in his past six games and almost singlehandedly beat the Wolves the first time these teams met, with an 18-point, 11-rebound, nine-block performance.

Numbers: The Wolves used 21 starting lineups in their first 51 games. ... The Wolves are the only NBA team this season that hasn't played an overtime game.

Injuries: Wolves center Theo Ratliff has missed the past 44 games because of knee injury that required exploratory arthroscopic surgery. ... Sixers rookie center Herbert Hill (knee) hasn't played all season.

JERRY ZGODA

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