Timberwolves open homestand vs. Bobcats

The Timberwolves have lost six of their last nine contests and hold just a one-half game lead over three teams — the Clippers, Warriors and Hornets — for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

Minnesota’s most recent loss came on Tuesday against Washington, which never trailed en route to a 112-100 home win over the Timberwolves.

Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 13 rebounds for Minnesota, which fell to a dismal 9-19 on the road this season. However, the club is a healthy 16-9 as the host. Ricky Davis ended with 24 points and Mike James scored 20 for the Timberwolves.

It promises to be no easy homestand for Minnesota, which has won three in a row at home, as Phoenix, Washington, Dallas and Utah will all come to town over the next week and a half.

More good news for the Timberwolves is the fact that they have won three of their last four over the young Charlotte Bobcats. The two teams will meet for the second and final time this season with Charlotte aiming for its first-ever victory in Minnesota. The Bobcats are winless in two attempts so far in franchise history.

Charlotte comes in on a winning note after Raymond Felton scored 21 points and doled out 11 assists, and the Bobcats topped the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, 104-100, on Tuesday.

Gerald Wallace also tallied 21 points, and grabbed seven rebounds for the Bobcats, who won their second in a row. Emeka Okafor was a force, finishing with 16 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocked shots.

Adam Morrison added 18 points off the bench, and Derek Anderson scored 12, including two clutch free throws with 6.4 seconds left to ice the game.

Brevin Knight was a late scratch for the Bobcats with a sore right groin and, along with guard Jeff McInnis (sprained right ankle) and forward Sean May (sore right knee), is questionable for tonight’s game.

Charlotte is 8-18 on the road so far this year and will next return home for a pair of games beginning with a tilt against Philadelphia on Friday.