wolves gameday
7 P.M. VS. WASHINGTON • TARGET C. • FSN, 830-AM
Preview: Similar records, but different trajectories. The injury-ravaged Wolves— who will be without center Nikola Pekovic and Andrei Kirilenko again — will try to end a five-game losing streak against a Wizards team that has become competitive while winning 15 of their past 26 games.
Players to watch: Wolves F Derrick Williams has scored 21 or more points in four of his past five games, shooting 48.3 percent and averaging 21.4 points and 10.0 rebounds in that time. Ricky Rubio has averaged 12 points, 10.2 assists and 4.0 steals in his past five games. Wizards rookie G Bradley Beal, who is questionable because of a turned ankle, is third among rookie scorers (14.2 ppg). G/F Martell Webster, a former Wolf, is shooting 45.2 percent on three-pointers and averaging 10.8 points.
Numbers: The Wolves are 4-22 in their past 26 games. After a 4-28 start, Washington has gone 15-11 in its past 26 games.
Injuries: Wolves: F Kevin Love (hand surgery), F Chase Budinger (knee surgery), G Brandon Roy (right knee), G Malcolm Lee (hip and knee surgery), F Andrei Kirilenko (strained calf) and C Nikola Pekovic (abdominal strain) are out. Wizards: G Leandro Barbosa (knee) is out and Beal (ankle) is questionable.
KENT YOUNGBLOOD
