Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves will try to end their losing streak when they meet Monday in Minneapolis.

Atlanta has fallen twice in a row and lost three of the last four. The Hawks were beaten 130-127 by the Charlotte Hornets short-handed Sunday night.

Minnesota returns from a two-game road trip that has seen them lose both games, including a 110-105 decision against Brooklyn on Friday. The Timberwolves have won their last five home games.

This is the first meeting between the two teams this season. Atlanta won both games last season and won the last three competitions.

Minnesota was at its best when playing at a high level in defense. Timberwolves 7-2 when the opponent stuck to less than 100 points. It happened in five consecutive games in November. Defense is important to a franchise that has made playoffs only five times in the past 21 seasons.

“They are ready to turn the page on another point in their career and they are so focused on the playoffs, the chances, the success of the team, doing all the things you need to do to win at a higher level every night,” said Chris Finch.

Part of the Timberwolves’ success can be attributed to former first draft pick Anthony Edwards, who averages 22 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He scored a career high of 48 points against Golden State on November 10, becoming the fifth youngest player in NBA history to score an additional 45 points.

D’Angelo Russell averages 19 points and 6.4 assists, but was listed as questionable on Monday due to right ankle soreness. Karl-Anthony Towns missed the Nets game due to bruised tailbone and will be evaluated on match day. Cities averages 24.0 points and nine rebounds and has a history of success against the Hawks; He scored a career-high of 56 against Atlanta in 2018. But Towns didn’t play in either of the two games against Atlanta last season due to COVID protocols.

The Atlanta defense was suspect Sunday against the Hornets, who made 17 three-pointers and prevented the Hawks from entering an offensive rhythm.

“I mean we scored 127 points and that’s more than enough to win the game,” Atlanta coach Nate McMillan said on Sunday. “It’s about the defensive ability to stop them and we weren’t able to do that… You have to give them credit. They are the team that has scored the most in the league, they are the best catch and-shoot team, they are first with 3 points, so it wasn’t that the defense It wasn’t there. They were better.”

Tra Young scored 25 points and 15 assists on Sunday, a 71st 20/10 twice in his career. He also became the youngest Hawk to score 5,500 points (23 years, 75 days) and the fastest in terms of games played (227).

John Collins scored 31 points and 12 rebounds against the Hornets and scored 10 more in 12 consecutive games for the fifth time in his career.

Atlanta will try to avoid its third consecutive sweep of the season. The Hawks have two sweepstakes and two splits and have lost both games in a row this season.

–Field Media Level