(SportsNetwork.com) - The Minnesota Timberwolves will try to guarantee their first .500 season in 10 years on Sunday when they head to Sleep Train Arena to meet the Sacramento Kings.
This season started with playoff optimism for the Wolves, but once again injuries decimated their chances. They won't reach the postseason, but one more victory will give them a .500 or better season for the first time since the 2004-05 campaign.
Last time out, Corey Brewer etched his name in the record books when he went for 51 points in a 112-110 home victory over the Houston Rockets Friday night.
Brewer matched Kevin Love's franchise record for points in a game. Brewer's previous career high was 29 points.
"You know how many guys scored 50 in the NBA?" said Brewer. "That's what makes it such a special night because I never in my career expected to score 50. There's a lot of good company up there."
Brewer's night was the major story, but Gorgui Dieng's game-winning basket with 4.6 seconds left sealed the victory.
Dieng finished with 12 points and 20 rebounds and Dante Cunningham scored 20 points and pulled down 13 boards for the Timberwolves, winners in four of their last six.
The Kings' losing streak reached five games as they lost at the Staples Center to the LA Clippers, 117-101, on Saturday afternoon. That concluded Sacramento's road schedule for the season as they host the Phoenix Suns to polish off the campaign on Wednesday.
DeMarcus Cousins had 32 points and 12 rebounds and Rudy Gay scored 16 points for the Kings, losers of two straight at home. Reggie Evans and Ben McLemore both had 14 points, while Evans pulled down 14 rebounds.
"We couldn't get any stops all night. 25-5 in transition, I hated our defense," said Kings coach Michael Malone. "They're a playoff team and we didn't respond. They get layup after layup after layup. We played hard, we didn't play smart."
The Clippers shot 50.6 percent from the field.
The Timberwolves have won two of three against the Kings this season. The two teams have split the last six meetings in Sacramento.
[SportsNetwork.com]
