Win one, lose one?
After a 1-8 start, that represents progress for the Timberwolves, who have split their past six games, including a 106-97 home loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. That's a trend the Wolves probably wouldn't mind continuing on their first East Coast road trip of the season, which begins with a game tonight at Charlotte (5-11).
With a Wednesday game at Orlando (13-4) and a Friday date at New Jersey (8-7 before Sunday's game at Phoenix), a victory over the Bobcats would do more than get this road trip off to a good start. It might be the Wolves' best chance to keep this latest one-game losing streak from turning into something much worse.
Minnesota went 0-2 against Charlotte last season and has lost three straight in the series.
Guard Jason Richardson (18.4 points per game) and forward Gerald Wallace (16.4) are the Bobcats' leading scorers, and center Emeka Okafor is averaging 10.1 points and 10.8 rebounds.
The Wolves are 2-5 on the road this season but have won their past two, at Detroit and Oklahoma City.
