wolves gameday
7 P.M. VS. Sacramento • Target center • fsn, 830-am
Preview: This is a rare set of back-to-back home games for the Timberwolves. The Kings, who begin a four-game trip, have won two of three — all at home, victories over San Antonio and Chicago and a loss to New Orleans — and at 7-5 are off to their best start since the 2006-07 season. They have had a five-game winning streak and won their first three road games this season at the L.A. Clippers, Denver and Phoenix. They were 4-8 after 12 games a season ago and are averaging 102.6 points a game compared to 96.6 a year ago. … The teams split last year's season series 2-2 with each team winning one game on the other team's home floor.
Players to watch: In his fifth season, Kings center DeMarcus Cousins is blooming into the player many once thought he could be. He is averaging 22.5 points (ninth in the NBA) and 11.8 rebounds (third). … Signed as a free agent in July, point guard Darren Collison has 23 assists and one turnover in his past two games and is averaging 15.6 points, 7.0 assists and 1.6 steals in 11 games. … Sacramento signed second-leading scorer Rudy Gay to a three-year, $40 million contract extension earlier this week.
Injuries: The long list of Wolves' wounded: G Kevin Martin (fractured wrist), C Nikola Pekovic (sprained wrist, ankle), G Ricky Rubio (sprained ankle), C Ronny Turiaf (hip) all are out. F Thaddeus Young also is not expected to play; he remains away from the team following his mother's death. The Kings, believe it or not, list no injuries.
JERRY ZGODA
