7 p.m. vs. New York Knicks • Target Center • FSN, 830-AM
Preview: The Timberwolves will try to break a five-game long streak — with all five coming away from Target Center — against a Knicks team that ended a seven-game losing streak with a victory vs. Denver on Sunday. New York played at Milwaukee on Tuesday night. With Ricky Rubio hurt and Thaddeus Young away from the team following the death of his mother, the Wolves' defense was a huge issue in back-to-back losses at New Orleans and Dallas in which Minnesota allowed 270 points. After a very long road trip this is the first of four consecutive home games.

Players to watch: Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony is fifth in the league in scoring (23.9). He is eighth in scoring among active players. He had averaged 29.2 points in the five games before Tuesday. G J.R. Smith (11.4) is the only other Knicks starter averaging in double figures in scoring. Wolves G Kevin Martin is coming off a season-high 34 points. F Shabazz Muhammad is coming off an 18-point game in Dallas.

Numbers: The 76 points Dallas scored in the paint Saturday is the second most against a Wolves team in franchise history (80 vs. Denver on April 26, 2012). The Wolves allowed an average of 55.6 paint points during their last five losses. Minnesota has also allowed an average of 32.2 third-quarter points the past five games. The Wolves shot 50 percent in Dallas, the team's best mark this season.

Injuries: Rubio (left ankle) is out. C Nikola Pekovic (wrist, ankle) is out. Young (personal) is out. Knicks F Andrea Bargnani (hamstring), G Jose Calderon (calf) and F Cleanthony Early (knee) were listed as out for Tuesday's game at Milwaukee.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD