Preview: The Timberwolves will meet a Bobcats team that is struggling, having lost three in a row and eight of nine. At home it's worse; their loss to Atlanta on Wednesday was their 16th in a row at home. The Wolves will be looking to avenge a Nov. 14 loss at Target Center, when Kemba Walker's jumper with 0.7 seconds left gave the Bobcats an 89-87 victory.

Players to watch: Wolves F Andrei Kirilenko had 26 points and 12 rebounds vs. the Bobcats in November. With 14 points Friday, PG Luke Ridnour has scored in double figures in 11 of 12 games. ... Charlotte G Ramon Sessions, a former Timberwolf, came off the bench to score a season-high 27 points vs. the Hawks. G Walker is averaging 17.7 points and 5.7 assists. G/F Gerald Henderson is averaging 12.7 points.

Numbers: Charlotte rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is sixth in rookie scoring, just behind Wolves guard Alexey Shved. ... The Bobcats matched their 2011-12 win total of seven in their 12th game this season. They are 3-27 since.

Injuries: Wolves F Kevin Love (hand surgery), F Chase Budinger (knee surgery), G Malcolm Lee (knee/hip surgery), G Brandon Roy (right knee), G Shved (left ankle) and C Nikola Pekovic (right thigh) are out. Bobcats F Byron Mullens (left ankle) is out.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD