Wolves gameday

Last update: January 12, 2009 - 10:50 PM

Preview: Miami tonight plays the fourth game on a seven-game trip -- its longest of the season -- that also takes the Heat to Denver, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Houston and Oklahoma City. It has started with losses to Denver and the Lakers and an overtime victory over the Kings. ... The Heat has either won or split the season series with the Wolves each of the past four years and has won five of the past seven meetings. The Wolves won 101-91 this time last year at Target Center. But that was so long ago, Rashad McCants scored 27 to Dwyane Wade's 25 in that one. ... The Heat is 3-0 in overtime games, the Wolves 1-2. ... Former Timberwolf Mark Blount has not played since Dec. 14 against Memphis.

Players to watch: Wade's 41-point game at Sacramento on Friday was his fifth 40-point game this season, a career high. The Heat is 4-1 in those games. He has led his team in scoring in 32 of its 36 games. He has scored 20 or more in each of the past 12 games. ... Heat rookie Michael Beasley has scored 23 points off the bench in each of the past two games. The last Miami rookie to score at least 20 points in consecutive games off the bench was "Baby Jordan," Harold Miner in 1993. ... Wolves guard Randy Foye is 19-for-32 on three-pointers (59.4 percent) in his past six games and is averaging 19.8 points on 49.4 percent shooting in his past 11 games.

Numbers: Wade and rookie guard Mario Chalmers have combined this season for 147 steals, the most by any duo in the NBA. Jason Kidd and Jason Terry in Dallas are next with 139 between them.

Injuries: Guard Kevin Ollie is out at least two more weeks because of a dislocated elbow. F Corey Brewer is out for the season following December surgery to repair a torn knee ligament.

JERRY ZGODA

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