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Wizards-Timberwolves Preview

Dec 26, 2009 - 12:03 AM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

Washington (10-17) at Minnesota (6-24), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Gilbert Arenas could be a little sore after leaving the Washington Wizards' last game with an injury. That might not be the least of his worries.

Two days after admitting he stored firearms in his locker, Arenas will try to help the Wizards win three straight games for the first time in more than 20 months Saturday night when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Arenas said in a published report Thursday that he took his guns to the Verizon Center after his daughter, Hamiley Penny, was born this month. About a week later, the three-time All-Star said he handed them over to team security to give to police.

The NBA's collective bargaining agreement allows players to legally possess firearms, but prohibits them at league facilities or when traveling on any league-related business. The Wizards (10-17) issued a statement Thursday night saying there was no ammunition in the locked container used to store the firearms, and Arenas and the team have notified authorities and the league.

After being limited to 15 games during the past two seasons following three operations on his left knee, Arenas could be facing either a fine or suspension in the near future. He was suspended for Washington's season opener in 2004 because he failed to maintain proper registration of a handgun while living in California in 2003.

Averaging a team-high 22.2 points, Arenas was on his way to another strong performance in Wednesday's 109-97 win over Milwaukee, but left in the fourth quarter after taking a knee to his left leg.

"I thought, 'This hurts way more than it should,"' said Arenas, who finished with 18 points in 32 minutes. "There was no point in putting me back in."

With Arenas out, Earl Boykins stepped up and scored 12 of his 15 points in the fourth to help put the Wizards in position for their first three-game winning streak since April 4-9, 2008.

Washington has won four consecutive games over the Timberwolves since a 98-94 loss on Feb. 25, 2007, and this will be their first meeting of the season.

Antawn Jamison was instrumental to the Wizards' success against Minnesota last season, averaging 27.5 points in two games. Jamison had 25 and 10 rebounds against the Bucks, and will likely be counted on to shoulder more of the offense if Arenas is still ailing.

The Timberwolves (6-24) are coming off a 103-99 win over New Jersey on Wednesday for their third victory in six games. Minnesota, which had won just three times in its first 24 contests, also caught a big break.

Clinging to a 99-97 lead with 26 seconds to play, officials used a videotape review to award the Wolves the ball for an inbounds play after originally calling it in favor of the Nets. Corey Brewer, who had 17 points, was immediately fouled on the ensuing inbounds play and made two free throws to extend the lead.

Although Minnesota got a little lucky, a solid performance from Al Jefferson also helped.

Jefferson scored a season-high 27 points while showing some glimpses of the assertiveness he had prior to tearing his right ACL and missing the final 32 games last season - including both matchups with Washington.

"That's the Al I want to see," Minnesota first-year coach Kurt Rambis said. "He made outside shots and was aggressive going to the basket. He was forcing their defense to change direction and then was quick getting his shot off. When he does that, he's tough to defend."

Jefferson looks to build off that performance against a Washington defense that has allowed an average of 109.8 points in its last four road games.