wolves gameday
7 p.m. at New orleans • smoothie king center • fsn, 830-AM
Preview: The Wolves will try to end a three-game losing streak; two of the last three losses have been by 10 or more points as the team tries to find its way without G Ricky Rubio (sprained ankle). They will try to do it against a Pelicans team that has won three of its last four games. The Wolves are near the end of their long road trip, and they finish it with a back-to-back; the Wolves play at Dallas Saturday.
Players to watch: G Kevin Martin leads the Wolves in scoring (18.3). But, after scoring at least 21 points in three straight games, Martin has scored just 20 points combined in his last two. Wolves rookie F Andrew Wiggins is third among rookies in scoring (10.0 ppg). G Zach LaVine is coming off a nine-assist performance vs. Houston Wednesday. Pelicans F Anthony Davis is fourth in the league in scoring (24.9) and first in the league in both rebounds (12.9) and blocks (4.4). Both F/G Tyreke Evans and F Ryan Anderson average 16.3 ppg.
Numbers: The Wolves have yet to win (0-4) when they score 100 or more points but are unbeaten when allowing less than 100 points (2-0). The Wolves won two of three games vs. the Pelicans last season but have lost two straight games in New Orleans.
Injury report: Both Wolves F Anthony Bennett (knee soreness) and C Ronny Turiaf (hip) played Wednesday; it was Turiaf's season debut. Martin also played through back soreness. Rubio (left ankle) is out. Pelicans F Luke Babbitt (finger) returned to action Wednesday after missing three games.
Kent Youngblood
