Minnesota returns to action tonight after a five-day layoff, battling the red-hot Philadelphia 76ers at Target Center. Tip off is set for 7 PM.
Philadelphia comes into the Target Center on a five-game winning streak, defeating Washington, Miami, the LA Clippers, Dallas and Memphis in that stretch. In the two teams’ first meeting back on Dec. 12, 2007 the 76ers got the best of the Wolves, hanging on for a 98-94 victory. Philadelphia used a strong first-quarter (28-21) and a near triple-double from center Samuel Dalembert to withstand Minnesota’s late charge. Al Jefferson led the way for the Wolves with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Sebastian Telfair dished out 11 assists in defeat while Rashad McCants and Antoine Walker added 15 and 14 points respectively off the bench for Minnesota.
The Wolves swept Philadelphia a year ago, and have beaten the Sixers in six of their last 10. Eleven of the teams’ last 16 meetings have been decided by five points or less.
Minnesota leads the all-time series by a 19-16 count and has won five of six at Target Center, the lone blemish an 86-84 setback on Jan. 22, 2006.
The Sixers come into tonight’s came with a record of 23-30, currently putting them in a tie with New Jersey for the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed. The Wolves sit at 10-41.
