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Lowly Wolves visit Phoenix

Apr 11, 2011 - 2:58 PM (Sports Network) - The Minnesota Timberwolves have just two chances remaining to end their lengthy 13-game losing streak, as they take on the Phoenix Suns tonight at US Airways Center.

Minnesota will wrap up its disappointing 2010-11 campaign back at home versus Houston on Wednesday and is mired in the longest losing streak since matching a franchise-record 16-game slide from Feb. 24-March 28, 2010.

The losing trend continued with Saturday's 130-106 blowout loss in Denver, which got 37 points from Ty Lawson thanks to a sizzling 10-for-11 showing from three-point territory. Lawson led eight players in double-digit scoring, while Martell Webster and Lazar Hayward paced the Wolves with 15 points apiece. Michael Beasley scored 14 points and both Wesley Johnson and Anthony Randolph netted 13 points for Minnesota, losers in 10 straight on the road.

"Obviously we didn't get our defense in order in time in order for guys to be able to rotate out," Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis said. "We just have to do a much better job of rotating."

The Timberwolves last prevailed on March 11 against Utah and are 5-35 away from the Target Center this season. Wolves center Darko Milicic left Wednesday's game versus Phoenix with an ankle injury and missed Saturday's contest in Denver. He is doubtful for tonight.

Wolves All-Star forward Kevin Love missed his fourth straight game with a strained left groin and is also doubtful for tonight. Love is averaging 20.2 points and an NBA-best 15.2 rebounds.

Phoenix will close out the season with back-to-back home games versus Minnesota and San Antonio, and is 21-18 in the desert this season.

The Suns have lost two in a row and eight of their last 10 games, and are coming off Sunday's 115-90 loss in Dallas. Marcin Gortat led the way with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Jared Dudley and Hakim Warrick both had 11 points for Phoenix, which was punished on the boards to the tune of 51-37. The Suns also shot 42.7 percent for the game.

"Well, we got off to a bad start and we were never in the game," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said. "(Dallas) shot the ball well and we couldn't come up with baskets and couldn't come up with shots. That's what the game was."

Phoenix will miss the playoffs for the second time in three years. Steve Nash was in action Sunday despite a strained hamstring and finished with six points and nine assists against his former team.

The Suns are trying to sweep the season series from Minnesota for a second straight year and have won seven straight, nine of 10 and 12 of the past 15 meetings between the teams.

Minnesota has lost three straight, eight of nine and nine of its last 11 trips to the Valley of the Sun.