Suns at Timberwolves
THE STORY: The Phoenix Suns will be looking to reverse a slide that has seen them drop six of their last seven games when they visit the reeling Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Minnesota has endured 11 consecutive defeats and is making a run at Cleveland for the worst record in the league. Phoenix would need to win four of its final five games to finish at .500 for the season. Both teams are coming off narrow losses Tuesday night.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, My45
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (17-61): The beating goes on for Minnesota, which saw its losing streak reach a season-high 11 games in a 107-105 loss at New Jersey. The shorthanded Timberwolves pushed the Nets to the wire before Deron Williams buried a jumper with 1.7 seconds to play for the victory. Forward Kevin Love, the league’s leading rebounder, and center Darko Milicic were out with injuries. Michael Beasley (20 points, 11 rebounds) and Anthony Randolph (20, 10) each had double-doubles.
ABOUT THE SUNS (37-40): Phoenix showed it hasn’t mailed it in yet, charging back from a 22-point deficit and pulling within two points before dropping a 97-94 decision to Eastern Conference leader Chicago on Tuesday. Vince Carter came off the bench to score 23 points and Channing Frye and Grant Hill had 13 points apiece. Point guard Steve Nash returned to the lineup after missing two games with the flu and had six points and 16 assists.
WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Suns forward Jared Dudley has been steady in spite of the losing, averaging 15.8 points in his last eight games.Timberwolves shooting guard Wayne Ellington scored four points against the Nets and has not hit double figures in 11 games. Martell Webster has been providing good production off the bench, averaging 16.6 points in his last three.
KEY STATISTIC: Minnesota is surrendering a league-worst 106.9 points per game.
SEASON SERIES: Phoenix won the only matchup this season as Jason Richardson led seven players in double figures with 29 points in a 128-122 home victory.
KEY INJURIES: PHOENIX: G Michael Pietrus (quadriceps). MINNESOTA: C Darko Milicic (ankle); F Kevin Love (groin); G Sebastian Telfair (flu).
LAST WORD: During a six-game winning streak against the Timberwolves, the Suns have averaged 123 points per outing.