Bobcats at Timberwolves
THE STORY: The Minnesota Timberwolves are hoping the best thing for a four-game losing streak is a visit on Wednesday from the NBA’s basement-dwelling Charlotte Bobcats. The Bobcats, mired in a franchise-worst 15-game losing streak, will look for a spark to turn around an otherwise terrible season by winning just their second road game this season. This is the first of two meetings between the Wolves - last in the Northwest Division – and the Bobcats.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, SSO-CHA, FSNN-MINN
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (3-25): Offense continues to be a struggle for Charlotte, which has been outscored by an average of 14.4 points per game. The Bobcats have yet to score 90 points in a game in February and are averaging just 80.3 points over their last six games. The Bobcats are coming off a 98-89 home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. Corey Maggette had a season-high 22 points and added three steals. Rookie Kemba Walker collected 21 points with five assists and Reggie Williams contributed 14 points.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (13-16): Minnesota is coming off a 102-89 road loss to the Orlando Magic. Kevin Lowe had 19 points and 15 rebounds, while Nikola Pekovic scored 16 points with 13 boards. Rookie Ricky Rubio had 11 points and a game-high eight assists. The Wolves' offense is sputtering, evidenced by their 18 turnovers the Magic turned into 17 points. “We are not being as aggressive as we were,” says Rubio. “We expect this to come, and we have to fight for them. We’re waiting for the last quarter, we have to punch first.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Bobcats coach Paul Silas says D.J. Augustin will return to the lineup on Wednesday.
2. Wolves C Darko Milicic returned from an ankle injury on Monday, but played just four minutes. He had zero points and three fouls.
3. Walker had his fifth 20-plus game this season against Philadelphia. It’s his 12th double-digit game in his last 17 outings.