Gameday preview: Utah at Wolves

April 16, 2014 at 3:04AM

wolves gameday

7 P.M. VS. utah • target center • FSN PLUS, 830-AM

Preview: The Timberwolves end their 25th anniversary season with their annual fan appreciation night. Hundreds of prizes will be given away, including gift cards, certificates and a trip with the team during the 2014-15 season. … The 24-57 Jazz have lost five consecutive games, 10 of their past 11 and 21 of their past 24 after Monday's 119-104 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Utah is last in the Western Conference and owns the league's fourth-worst record, ahead of Orlando, Philadelphia and Milwaukee. … The Wolves have the chance to sweep a season series with the Jazz for the first time in their 25 years. The Wolves won 98-72 at Target Center on January 18, 112-97 in Salt Lake City three days later and 121-104 again at Utah on Feb. 22.

Players to watch: Wolves star Kevin Love surpassed Kevin Garnett's franchise single-season scoring record by scoring 40 points in Monday's 130-120 loss at Golden State. Love needed 36 points Monday and now has scored 1,991 points this season. … The Jazz starting lineup of rookie Trey Burke, Alec Burks, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward and Enes Kanter is the NBA's second-youngest this season, at an average age of 22 years and 206 days. Only Milwaukee fielded a younger lineup this year, at 22 years and 134 days.

Injuries: Wolves C Nikola Pekovic (foot/ankle) and C Ronny Turiaf (knee) are doubtful, F Chase Budinger (sprained ankle) and F Shabazz Muhammad (sprained MCL knee ligament) are out. Jazz F Marvin Williams (knee bone bruise) has missed the past three games and is doubtful.

JERRY ZGODA

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