wolves gameday

7 P.M. VS. Philadelphia • Target Center • FSN, 830-AM

Preview: Never has it been more true. In this game, something has to give. First the Wolves: Minnesota enters the game 0-6 at home. Dating back to last season the Wolves have lost their past 14 at Target Center, equaling the longest home losing streak in franchise history. Now Philly: The 76ers enter the game 0-14. Dating back to last season Philly has lost 24 straight, two off the league record Philadelphia shares; both the 2012-14 Sixers and the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers had 26-game losing streaks. So one of those streaks will end in this game. Interestingly, last year's 76ers came to Minnesota 0-17 and walked out with a victory.

Players to watch: G Zach LaVine has shot 14-for-29 from three-point range his past five games. PG Ricky Rubio has averaged 10 points and 9.5 assists his past two. C Karl-Anthony Towns had three steals and three assists Friday and scored 39 points with 19 rebounds in his past two. 76ers rookie C Jahlil Okafor is coming off his fourth double-double in 14 games.

Numbers: Okafor became the first rookie since Grant Hill in 1994 to average 20 or more points and shoot 50 percent or better through his first eight starts. Philadelphia won both meetings last season.

Injuries: Wolves C Nikola Pekovic (Achilles surgery) is out. F Nemanja Bjelica (knee) is questionable. 76ers C Joel Embiid (right foot), F Carl Landry, (wrist), PG Kendall Marshall (knee) and G Tony Wroten (knee) are out.

Kent Youngblood