Hawks at Timberwolves
The Atlanta Hawks look to extend their road winning streak to five and win back-to-back games for the first time in more than two weeks when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. The Hawks won at Denver 109-108 on Friday without three key players in their rotation after losing by eight points at home against Minnesota two days earlier.
“Until we can figure out to play with consistency and bring the energy and focus every night, execute every night, we’re going to be a .500 team,” Atlanta guard Kyle Korver, who missed Friday’s game with an illness, told the Atlanta Constitution. “That’s just our reality.” The Hawks shot just 41.5 percent from the field and were out rebounded 52-35 in the loss to the Timberwolves, who dropped a 112-100 decision at Oklahoma City on Sunday. Minnesota won two in a row just once this season and has lost eight of its last nine games at home, where it is 4-11 on the season. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 26 points and eight rebounds Sunday for the Timberwolves, but saw his streak of 10 games with a double-double come to an end.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), FSN North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE HAWKS (15-15): Leading rebounder Dwight Howard (back) missed his third straight game Friday while guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (groin) played just one minute against Minnesota before sitting out against Denver. Paul Millsap leads the team in scoring (17.6) and registered 20 points, including the winning free throws with six seconds to go, Friday after posting double-doubles in the previous two games. Point guard Dennis Schroder scored 27 against Denver and is averaging 21 over the last 15 games to join Millsap at 17.6.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (9-21): Minnesota led by as many as seven in the first half against Oklahoma City, but made just four 3-pointers and was outscored 58-46 in the paint. Towns matched his season high with 18 rebounds against Atlanta on Wednesday, and has grabbed at least eight boards in every game since Nov. 21. After going 6-for-19 against Sacramento in the previous game, Andrew Wiggins scored 23 on 10-of-20 shooting Sunday but went 0-of-2 from beyond the arc to fall to 1-for-15 over the last five contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Minnesota G Zach LaVine had three of his team’s 3-pointers Sunday and has drained 27 from long range the last seven games.
2. Atlanta F Mike Muscala averaged 14.5 points and drained 11-of-16 from the field the last two games off the bench.
3. The Timberwolves have won the last three meetings, including a 99-95 win at home in November of 2015.