(SportsNetwork.com) – So much for that 3-0 start.
The Miami Heat look to get back on track and stop a two-game slide when they
host the Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Miami suffered its second loss in a row Wednesday in a 96-89 setback against
the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets ended a 16-game slide to the Heat, who were
led by Dwyane Wade’s 25 points and seven assists. Chris Bosh continued his
surge with 23 points and 13 rebounds.
The Heat, who got no closer than 88-85, shot 39 percent and made only 4-of-22
3-pointers. The Heat had made at least nine 3-pointers in each of their first
four games.
“It just seemed like we could never get over the hump,” Heat head coach Erik
Spoelstra said. “We didn’t play with great energy.”
Bosh has scored more than 20 points in every game this season and is currently
sixth in the NBA with 24.2 ppg. He has three double-doubles in five games.
In injury news for Miami, center Chris Andersen (ribs) and forwards Danny
Granger (hamstring) and Udonis Haslem (quadriceps) are questionable versus the
Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves have alternated results in all five games this season and are
coming off a costly 112-103 overtime loss in Orlando Friday night. Wolves
guard Ricky Rubio suffered a left ankle injury in the second quarter and X-
rays taken were negative.
Rubio, who ended with four points and six assists, will be re-evaluated
Saturday and was replaced by Mo Williams.
“He popped it pretty good,” Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. “So we’ll have
to wait to see where it’s at tomorrow.”
Rubio signed a four-year contract extension with Minnesota last week and is
currently third in the NBA with 10.0 assists per game.
Kevin Martin had 21 points and both Nikola Pekovic and Corey Brewer scored 16
points for Minnesota, which made 43 percent from the field. Rookie Andrew
Wiggins had just six points.
Anthony Bennett is bothered by a knee issue and is questionable Saturday.
The T-Wolves have a tough schedule ahead against Miami, Houston, New Orleans
and Dallas on the slate.
Minnesota and Miami split a pair of meetings last season with each team
holding serve as the visitor. The Heat have won 11 of the last 15 games
against the Timberwolves, who are 5-10 in the past 15 trips to Miami.
