Nets vs Timberwolves Preview: Deron Williams Good to Go; Kris Humphries Doubtful

With six games left in another disappointing season, the showdown of the NBA’s premier rebounding big men has been put in question.

The prospects of fans seeing the rebounding prowess of the Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Love and the New Jersey Nets’ Kris Humphries are in doubt; Humphries’ ailing ankle and Love’s groin are sure to erase the possibility of the marquee matchup. 

It’s obvious that the Timberwolves are a tough team to out-rebound (first in the league) and outscore (No. 10 in the league), but most of that is with Love in the lineup.

For all of the points that Minnesota puts up on the scoreboards, they are still dead last in points allowed (No. 30 in the league). 

They key to snapping New Jersey’s season-high six-game skid is as simple as them making more shots than their opponent. 

In the last game against the Timberwolves, Brook Lopez scored just six points and grabbed four rebounds in a losing effort. Lopez will need to get as close as he can to his season average of 19.7 PPG and 5.9 RPG in order for the Nets to stand a chance. 

Deron Williams presents an advantage that the Nets didn’t have in their previous game, but the Nets will have to play as a cohesive unit since Humphries' status appears doubtful. 

In his lone game against the Timberwolves this season, Williams put up 25 points and seven assists; a similar output could be expected tonight. 

Minnesota is in the midst of its own 10-game losing streak, the longest of the season, and Kurt Rambis will be trying his best to end a season on some sort of a positive note. 

If Love does play, the Nets are sure to have their hands full with the 20.2 PPG and 15.2 RPG that he averages.

Michael Beasley is second on the Timberwolves with 18.9 PPG and 5.5 RPG.