Minnesota @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 23, 2018 ) Minnesota 108, New York 104

The New York Knicks picked up a very rare win headed into the All-Star break but still have their sights set on a top draft pick as they resume action Friday at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. A 106-91 win at Atlanta on Feb. 14 snapped the Knicks' franchise-record 18-game losing streak and left them in second-to-last place in the overall NBA standings coming out of the break.

Their eyes are likely on consensus overall top pick Zion Williamson of Duke, and fans in New York were holding their breath when the athletic big man suffered a knee injury Wednesday against North Carolina. Friday's contest opens a four-game homestand for the Knicks, who have lost a franchise-high 17 straight at home. The Timberwolves also hit the break with some momentum by defeating the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets at home while averaging 125.5 points. They entered Thursday four games out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference and will be playing 11 of 16 games on the road out of the intermission.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (27-30): Minnesota has hovered near the .500 mark all season but the team sees itself getting very close to making a push in the right direction. "You're a few plays away from making a jump in those rankings," point guard Tyus Jones told reporters when asked about some tight statistical categories that could make all the difference. "It's something that we can continue to get better at, but we've got to want to as a team, we've got to want to come in and learn from the film, listen to our coaches, try to break some of the habits that we've got, and then once we see it work in the game, it'll start to become a regular." Jones is close to returning from an ankle injury, as is forward Robert Covington, who sat out 20 games in a row due to a bone bruise.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (11-47): New York has a potential logjam at point guard with newly acquired Dennis Smith Jr. about to be joined by Emmanuel Mudiay (shoulder) and Frank Ntilikina (groin), who are both close to returning from their respective injuries, but some see it as a positive. "No doubt, Dennis is great at getting downhill, creating for others, and it just gives us two ball handlers out there," Mudiay told reporters of the possibility of playing alongside Smith. "Me and him got a pretty good relationship already." Kadeem Allen has been getting plenty of minutes at the position as well and is averaging 16.5 points and 6.3 assists over his last four games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. All-Star C Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 23.5 points, 14 rebounds and six assists to help the Timberwolves sweep two meetings last season.

2. Minnesota PG Jeff Teague averaged 23 points and 11 assists in the back-to-back wins prior to the All-Star break.

3. New York's last home victory was on Dec. 1, a 136-134 overtime triumph against Milwaukee.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 111, Knicks 106