Preview: The Wolves are 2-0 this season against the 34-25 Hornets team that had lost three in a row, seven of their past eight and nine of their past 11 before beating the Clippers at home Wednesday. The Wolves won 104-92 at New Orleans earlier this month, the first of back-to-back road victories (they beat Houston the next night). They also won 113-98 at Target Center in December. ... Kevin Love had a 27-point, 17-rebound night at New Orleans and Michael Beasley scored 30 and Wes Johnson a season-high 24 points in the December game. ... The Hornets acquired forward Carl Landry for guard Marcus Thornton before Thursday's trade deadline.
Player to watch: Hornets All-Star guard Chris Paul is the fourth-fastest player in NBA history to reach 4,000 career assists. He did so in a game against Portland in his 403rd career game earlier this month. The other three who did it faster: Oscar Robertson (379 games), Isiah Thomas (387) and Magic Johnson (393). He also has had five or more steals in 12 games so far this season. Boston's Rajon Rondo is next on the list to do that, four times.
Injuries: Wolves G Martell Webster (back) and G Jonny Flynn (groin) are questionable. Hornets C Emeka Okafor (oblique strain) hasn't played since Jan. 30 and is listed questionable.
JERRY ZGODA
