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Wizards go for third straight against Timberwolves

Nov 16, 2007 - 2:43 PM Washington (2-5) at Minnesota (1-5) 8:00 pm EST

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) - The Washington Wizards go for their third straight win on Friday when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Wizards, who began the season with five straight losses, have gotten back on track recently, winning back-to-back games with their last, a 103-90 victory, on Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers.

Gilbert Arenas put together his best performance of the season against the Pacers, scoring 30 points while adding 11 rebounds and six assists.

Arenas has been struggling with injury this campaign and has had his left knee drained of fluid twice after having surgery in the offseason. However, an MRI on Monday revealed no further damage to Arenas' knee.

Caron Butler has been carrying the offense while Arenas continues to recover. Butler is averaging 21.6 points and 7.4 rebounds a game this season.

The Timberwolves, like the Wizards, began the season 0-5 before picking up their first win on Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings. A reason for Minnesota's struggles may stem from a roster which features 10 new players.

One of those new players, Al Jefferson, has not disappointed since being acquired from the Celtics in the blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Garnett to Boston. The fourth-year forward registered double-doubles in each of his first five games before scoring 23 points and seven rebounds against the Kings.