Timberwolves Vs. Wizards: Washington Hosts Minnesota Looking For First Win Of Season

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By T.J. Doyle - Associate Editor

The Washington Wizards (0-7), the NBA's lone remaining winless team, welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-5) to the Verizon Center Sunday afternoon, with Washington looking to win their eighth straight home game in the series.

Jan 8, 2012 - The Washington Wizards (0-7), the NBA's lone remaining winless team, welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-5) to the Verizon Center Sunday afternoon, with Washington looking to win their eighth straight home game in the series. Minnesota has not won in the District of Columbia since December of 2003. This will be just the second road game of the season for the Timberwolves.

The Wizards are coming off perhaps their best showing of the young season, a 99-96 home loss to the New York Knicks on Friday night. The Wizards actually started strong and held a 32-18 lead after one quarter, receiving solid contributions from their bench, in particular Chris Singleton and Trevor Booker.

Minnesota has been inconsistent to start the year, winning games against the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs, yet more recently dropping back-to-back home games against the Memphis Grizzlies (without Zach Randolph) and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Washington will need strong performances from their young bigs, and of course point guard John Wall (15.0 ppg, 6.9 apg, 4.3 rpg), if they are to get off the schneid this afternoon at home. JaVale McGee (12.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg) and Andray Blatche (12.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg) have been inconsistent at best this season, and in addition to providing offense will need to shut down double-double machine Kevin Love of the Timberwolves. Love is averaging 26.1 points and 14.9 rebounds per game this year and has a NBA-high seven double-doubles.

Sunday's tipoff is set for 1:00 PM ET and can be seen on Comcast SportsNet and heard on 106.7 FM.

For more on Washington, please visit Bullets Forever, SB Nation's Wizards blog. For the perspective from the other side, please visit Canis Hoopus, SB Nation's Timberwolves blog. For all your NBA news and notes visit SB Nation's NBA hub.