wolves gameday
3 P.M. AT NEW ORLEANS • FSN, 830-AM
Preview: The ninth-place Pelicans are fading from the race for the eighth and final playoff spot after they lost four consecutive games and five of six before beating Sacramento 102-88 at home on Friday. They trailed Oklahoma City by three games entering Saturday's game and have 10 games, including six on the road, left to play. Blossoming superstar Anthony Davis missed two of those losses because of an ankle injury during a season when he has been in and out of the lineup with nagging injuries. … The two teams end their season series April 13 at Target Center. The Pelicans won the first two games, a 139-91 blowout in New Orleans on Nov. 14 near the end of the Wolves' six-game trip that took them to Brooklyn, Florida and Mexico City and 92-84 at Target Center on Jan. 23. … The Pelicans' four turnovers in that November game were the fewest in their history. They set or tied nine club records in that game, including points in a quarter (43), a half (80), a game, field goal percentages and made in a game, half and quarter and largest margin of victory (48).
Players to watch: Davis has averaged 21.5 points on 50 percent shooting and eight rebounds, two steals and 1.5 blocks in the two games against the Wolves this season. He flirted with a quadruple double in a double-overtime loss to Denver earlier this month, with 36 points, 14 rebounds, nine blocked shots and career-high seven assists. … In two games against the Pelicans, Wolves rookie Andrew Wiggins is averaging 16.5 points on 50 percent shooting and 3.5 rebounds. His 31-point game in Friday's 120-110 loss at Houston was his fourth 30-point game this season. That's a franchise record for a rookie, one more game than Isaiah Rider's three 30-point games in 1993-94. … Wolves forward Anthony Bennett said Friday he hopes to play Sunday. The Wolves have been targeting that date. Bennett has not played since he sprained his right ankle Feb. 20 against Phoenix. He has missed the past 18 games.
Injuries: Wolves F Bennett (sprained ankle) and F Robbie Hummel (fractured hand) are questionable. G Ricky Rubio (sore ankle), F Kevin Garnett (sore knee) and G Kevin Martin (strained hamstrings) are doubtful, C Nikola Pekovic (sore ankle), F Shabazz Muhammad (finger surgery), G Gary Neal (ankle) are out. Pelicans G Jrue Holiday (lower-leg stress reaction) and F Ryan Anderson (MCL sprain) are out.
JERRY ZGODA