The Timberwolves have to win sometime don't they? They are mired in a 13-game losing streak minus key players Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Martin. In addition, veteran point guard Mo Williams turned an ankle in the Wolves' narrow loss to the Suns two nights and may not play.




But unlike the 76ers and Knicks - the other two worst teams in the NBA - the Timberwolves have some exciting young talent and usually can be counted on for a good effort. More than half of their defeats during their losing streak have been by single-digits.




The Bucks may be the most improved team in the Eastern Conference, but they have lost and failed to cover in their last four home games. Milwaukee is down key players, too, especially in the frontcourt where Ersan Ilyasova, Jabari Parker and Larry Sanders are all out.




Minnesota has won four of the last five in the series. Andrew Wiggins is making a strong bid to win Rookie of the Year honors averaging 22.6 points and shooting 51.3 percent from the floor during the last eight games. Anthony Bennett has put together two straight double-double performances and Shabazz Muhammad has scored 18 or more points in eight of his last 13 games.