Timberwolves at Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets put up a good fight on Tuesday but still ended up falling for the 13th time in the last 18 games and dropped further back of the Miami Heat for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets will try to bounce back and avoid a third consecutive setback when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.
Charlotte sits three games behind the Heat entering play on Wednesday after dropping a 118-114 decision at home against the Philadelphia. "It was a tough loss and another close game," Hornets coach James Borrego told reporters. "The guys battled again, against a very good team. We've been battling this team all season. We've been right there with this team and it was the same type of game tonight. "I thought we played well enough to get this win, we just couldn't close it out." The Timberwolves are on their own slide out of playoff contention and are on the verge of being mathematically eliminated after dropping four straight games and eight of 11. "We have to keep playing as if we're going to make it," All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns told reporters. "There is still a mathematical chance. I know it sounds corny, but it's true."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Southeast (Charlotte)
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (32-39): Minnesota gave the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors a battle on Tuesday but ended up falling short with a 117-107 loss despite 26 points and 21 rebounds from Towns. "I appreciate how hard these guys have played," Timberwolves interim coach Ryan Saunders told reporters. "When you're going against the world champions, you have to be on your game, offensively and defensively. There are things we can take from tonight. Some positives, but there were also things we can learn from." The double-double was the fifth in a row for Towns and marked his sixth 20-20 game of the season.
ABOUT THE HORNETS (31-39): Charlotte dropped a head-to-head meeting against the Heat 93-75 to close out a 1-3 road trip on Sunday and at least showed more offensively against the 76ers. All-Star guard Kemba Walker was the lone starter to score in double figures with 21 points as the bench kept the game close. Shooting guard Jeremy Lamb collected team highs of 26 points and 11 rebounds in the loss while power forward Frank Kaminsky (14 points) and shooting guard Dwayne Bacon (13) joined him in double figures among the reserves.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Hornets PF Marvin Williams is 5-of-29 from the floor over his last four games, including 2-of-15 from beyond the arc.
2. Timberwolves PF Taj Gibson (calf) left Tuesday's game and is day-to-day.
3. Minnesota earned a 121-104 home win over Charlotte on Dec. 5 behind 35 points and 12 boards from Towns.