Timberwolves host the Heat in out-of-conference contest
Minneapolis; Friday, 8 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Miami Heat in out-of-conference action.
The Timberwolves have gone 24-14 in home games. Minnesota is 7-5 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Heat have gone 20-18 away from home. Miami is second in the Eastern Conference allowing only 105.7 points and holding opponents to 44.2 percent shooting. The Timberwolves won the last meeting between these two squads 113-104 on Dec. 30. Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with 34 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Towns has averaged 24.4 points and 12.5 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Andrew Wiggins is averaging 1.5 made 3-pointers and 20 points over the last 10 games for Minnesota.
Goran Dragic leads the Heat averaging 4.6 assists while scoring 14.5 points per game. Dion Waiters has averaged 3.6 made 3-pointers and scored 17 points over the last 10 games for Miami.
LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 6-4, averaging 103 points, 47.1 rebounds, 25.4 assists, eight steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 43.7 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 102.8 points on 42.0 percent shooting.
Timberwolves: 3-7, averaging 111 points, 45.3 rebounds, 24.7 assists, 7.1 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.6 points on 47.2 percent shooting.
Timberwolves Injuries: Robert Covington: out for season (ankle), Jeff Teague: out for season (left foot inflammation), Taj Gibson: day to day (calf), Luol Deng: day to day (sore left achilles), Derrick Rose: out for season (right elbow soreness).
Heat Injuries: Ryan Anderson: out (personal), Dion Waiters: day to day (knee), Josh Richardson: out (left leg), Derrick Jones Jr.: day to day (knee).
