Timberwolves at 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are still looking for consistency after making several off-season changes entering Tuesday's home game with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 76ers have won six of nine, but a three-game winning streak was snapped by Chicago on Saturday. Philadelphia has won three games in a row three times, but also has bad losses to Detroit and Cleveland, two of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Timberwolves are inching toward .500 after losing five straight games last month. Minnesota is among the league's best in points allowed (92.6) and rebounding (45.3), but isn't getting much help from an anemic offense. The Timberwolves score 92.5 points a game and shoot 42 percent from the field. The return of All-Star forward Kevin Love has helped, but Minnesota has a lot of work to do on the offensive end.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North (Minnesota), Comcast SportsNet (Philadelphia)
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (7-8): Things might finally be looking up in Minnesota. The Timberwolves have won two of three and are getting their key players healthy. Love is averaging 21.7 points and 15.3 rebounds in six games since returning from a broken hand. He has recorded a double-double in each game he's played. Point guard Ricky Rubio practiced for the first time Sunday after suffering a major knee injury late last season.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (10-7): Philadelphia has a well-balanced attack. Four players score in double figures and eight average at least 6.2 points. The individual numbers haven't added up to team success. The 76ers average 93.1 points and shoot 43 percent from the field. Point guard Jrue Holiday is averaging 18.5 points and 9.3 assists, team-highs in both categories. The 76ers have been strong defensively, allowing 93.9 points a game.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The 76ers play back-to-back games against the Celtics starting Friday at Wells Fargo Center and Saturday in Boston.
2. Minnesota center Nikola Pekovic scored 14 points and tied a career-high with 16 rebounds in Friday's 95-85 win over Milwaukee.
3. Minnesota broke a three-game losing streak to Philadelphia with a 92-91 home win on Feb. 12 of last season. Love hit two free throws with 0.1 seconds remaining.