7 p.m. vs. Houston • Target Center • FSN, 830-AM
Preview: The Wolves, losers of three in a row, are three games below .500 and in danger of having their first four-game losing streak of the season. The Rockets have won five in a row, a stretch that included victories over San Antonio, at Dallas and Phoenix.
Players to watch: Wolves PG Ricky Rubio scored a career-high 25 points with nine assists vs. Portland on Saturday. It was his seventh career 20-point game. F Shabazz Muhammad came off the bench Saturday to score a career-high 12 points. F Dante Cunningham is coming off his first double-double of the season. Rockets G James Harden is averaging 23.7 points per game. C Dwight Howard has scored 20 or more in five consecutive games.
Numbers: Saturday was Wolves F Chase Budinger's second game with more than one three-pointer. Even without Kevin Love or Nikola Pekovic, the Wolves had a 52-28 edge in points in the paint Saturday. Wolves C Ronny Turiaf's 13 rebounds Saturday were his most since 2009. Houston hit 17 three-pointers while beating the Wolves Nov. 23.
Injuries: Wolves C Nikola Pekovic (ankle bursitis) and SG Kevin Martin (broken left thumb) are out. F Kevin Love (quad contusion) is questionable. Rockets F/C Greg Smith (right knee) is out. C Omer Asik (right thigh/knee) will be a game-time decision.
KENT YOUNGBLOOD
