Wizards at Timberwolves
The Washington Wizards look to defeat Minnesota for the second time in seven days when they visit the Timberwolves on Saturday. Washington racked up 73 second-half points during Sunday's 135-121 home victory over Minnesota.
The Wizards dropped a 112-111 decision in Charlotte on Friday as Bradley Beal came up empty on a shot in the final seconds. Washington is just 8-26 on the road and sits four games behind eighth-place Miami for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot. Minnesota has lost four of its last five games and is starting to fall out of contention for a postseason berth in the Western Conference. After weekend home dates with the Wizards and New York, the Timberwolves play five of their next six on the road during a stretch that likely will determine whether or not they still are a part of the playoff race.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, FS North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (27-38): Bobby Portis recorded 26 points and 12 rebounds in the recent win over the Timberwolves and had another big performance on Friday, when he registered 23 and nine. Portis has compiled four 20-point outings and five double-digit rebounding efforts in 11 games since being acquired from Chicago as part of the deal for Otto Porter Jr. Beal scored just 15 points on 4-of-21 shooting versus Charlotte after recording 30 on 11-of-19 shooting two nights earlier against Dallas.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (30-35): Karl-Anthony Towns scored 24 points but grabbed only four rebounds against Detroit as his impressive five-game double-double streak came to an end. Towns topped 30 points four times and grabbed 17 or more rebounds on three occasions while averaging 36.4 and 16 during the run. Andrew Wiggins has scored 18 points in each of his last two contests and reached double digits in five straight games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Towns registered 28 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in Sunday's loss to the Wizards.
2. Washington F Trevor Ariza was just 1-for-8 and finished with eight points on Friday after averaging 19 over his previous two games.
3. Minnesota PG Derrick Rose scored only eight points against Detroit to halt a streak of nine straight double-digit performances.