Wolves gameday

Preview: The Wolves lost the last two games of their four-game homestand, and have lost point guard Ricky Rubio to a season-ending knee injury. How will they survive? A sloppy loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday night seemed a bad omen, but coach Rick Adelman and his players promised a better effort going forward. The Suns are finding a stride, having won two in a row and seven of their past nine. Included in that streak was a victory over the Wolves on March 1 that came with the Suns rested and the Wolves playing for a third time in three nights.

Players to watch: Wolves F Kevin Love is battling a sore lower back, but he still managed to post his 14th 30-point game of the season Saturday, tying him for the franchise record. Center Nikola Pekovic and G Luke Ridnour are coming off double-doubles vs. New Orleans. The Wolves need to get more out of wing players Martell Webster and Wes Johnson, who combined to shoot 1-for-8 and score two points Saturday. Suns C Marc Gasol is coming off a 21-point, eight-rebound, five-assist game vs. Memphis. G Jared Dudley had 19 points and PG Steve Nash had 15 assists vs. Memphis.

Numbers: Saturday's victory over the red-hot Grizzlies put the Suns within two games of .500 for the first time since they were 4-6 on Jan. 12. The Suns have won five consecutive home games, after trailing by 10 or more points in all five games.

Injuries: Rubio (left knee) is out. Love (back spasms) is probable. The Suns report no injuries.