Timberwolves-Dallas game preview

7 p.m. vs. Dallas • Target Center • FSN Plus, 830-AM

Preview: The Wolves, in position to win a fourth straight game for the first time in five years, will face a Dallas team that took a 1-8 record into its game with New Orleans on Friday night. Minnesota has won three straight tight games. The first two were by one possession. In Wednesday's victory in New Orleans, Jimmy Butler's three-pointer with 34.2 seconds left broke a tie.

Players to watch: Butler is coming off a 23-point performance in New Orleans. He has averaged 21.3 points in three games since returning from an illness. C Karl-Anthony Towns is coming off a career-low two points vs. the Pelicans. It is only the second time since the start of his second season that he failed to score at least 10. Four of five Dallas starters are averaging in double figures, led by F Harrison Barnes (16.3), F Wesley Matthews (13) and rookie G Dennis Smith Jr. (12.3).

Numbers: Dallas ranks 28th in the league in net rating (minus 11.7). Forward Dirk Nowitzki is sixth all-time in league scoring (30,362 entering Friday's game). Dallas hit at least 10 three-pointers in eight of its first nine games.

Injuries: Wolves C Justin Patton (foot) is out. Dallas G Seth Curry (left leg) and PF Dorian Finney-Smith (lower extremity) were listed as out for Friday's game.