76ers at Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a severe beating against Philadelphia earlier this season and look to exact revenge when they host the 76ers on Saturday. Philadelphia cruised to a 149-107 victory on Jan. 15, with the 42-point margin being the second-worst in Timberwolves history.
Minnesota will attempt to avoid an emotional letdown after posting a 131-130 overtime upset win over visiting Golden State on Friday as it recovered from a 14-point halftime deficit. "I'm just proud to be part of this group and proud to be part of the resolve in that room," Timberwolves interim coach Ryan Saunders told reporters. "The selflessness of our team ... that is a big win. That's a win that can propel you. You see the work you are putting in as players, and it feels good." Philadelphia is in third place in the Eastern Conference, 3 1/2 games ahead of both Boston and Indiana. The 76ers are opting to rest All-Star center Joel Embiid, who recorded 31 points and 13 rebounds in the crushing win over Minnesota in January.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBA TV, NBCS Philadelphia, FS North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE 76ERS (48-27): Embiid registered 39 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in Thursday's 123-110 home win over Brooklyn, and having him healthy for the postseason ranks higher on the team's priority list than him playing in every game down the stretch. Philadelphia has won seven of its last nine contests as it enters a stretch during which it plays five of its next six on the road. Jimmy Butler scored 19 points in the first meeting with Minnesota, the team with which he began the season before having his wish for a trade granted.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (34-41): All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns went to bat for Saunders after the contest, saying he hopes the interim label gets removed so he can be the coach entering next season. "I think he has done a lot to earn it," Towns told reporters. "Our record may not be what we want it to be, but the culture he's building and the excitement fans are feeling about this team, you can't make up. ... I think he's a great candidate for the job." Andrew Wiggins registered his fifth straight 20-point performance with 24 and grabbed nine rebounds against the Warriors.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The 76ers have won each of the last four meetings in the all-time series.
2. Philadelphia SG JJ Redick made four 3-pointers against Brooklyn, marking the sixth time in eight games he has hit at least four shots from beyond the arc.
3. Minnesota PF Taj Gibson (calf) is expected to miss his fifth straight game.