Heat-Timberwolves Preview

By ALAN FERGUSON

(AP) -- After opening their road trip with a victory, the Miami Heat couldn't keep their momentum going at the next stop.

They'll try to get back in the win column by adding to their dominance over the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves but likely won't have Dwyane Wade available again Wednesday night.

Miami (21-27) defeated Boston 83-75 on Sunday to start its four-game trek but couldn't slow down Detroit in a 108-91 loss Tuesday. The Pistons took command early by outscoring the Heat 33-12 in the opening quarter and ended the period on a 25-1 run.

"They played at a much harder competitive pace than we did and that set the tempo for the game on both ends of the court," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "They had us on our heels from the beginning. We could never get our footing from there."

Miami got Luol Deng back after a three-game absence due to a strained left calf, but Wade missed his third straight game because of an ailing right hamstring. He'll reportedly remain sidelined for the rest of the trip, which ends Friday against San Antonio.

Chris Bosh tried to make up for his star teammate's absence by matching a season high with 34 points, but no other Heat player had more than 12. Miami had won its previous 17 regular-season games when Bosh has scored at least 30.

Hassan Whiteside had his fourth double-double in five games with 11 points and 10 rebounds and is averaging 15.4 points, 14.4 rebounds and 4.2 blocks in those contests.

Miami's lone loss in its last nine meetings with Minnesota (8-40) came when Wade was missing for a double overtime defeat April 4. He had 25 points and eight assists in a 102-92 home win over the Timberwolves on Nov. 8, and Wade and Bosh (24 points) combined for the team's final 12 points.

Bosh has scored 24 points in each of the last two games against the Timberwolves but has totaled 19 in the past two visits to Minnesota. Wade has averaged 28.7 points on 57.1 percent shooting in Miami's six consecutive wins there and 27.0 points on 59.6 percent shooting in his past eight overall against the Timberwolves.

The Heat will try to overcome Wade's absence as they face a team that's lost three straight and eight of nine. Ricky Rubio's return from an ankle injury wasn't enough to lift Minnesota on Monday in a 100-94 loss in Dallas.

The point guard had 10 points and four assists in 21-plus minutes in his first game since Nov. 7. Kevin Martin had a team-best 19 points in his fourth game back from a fractured right wrist, and Mo Williams had 15 and five assists after sitting out the previous three contests (hip and personal reasons).

"They're trying to get their legs and trying to get their rhythm individually. We're also trying to get (our rhythm) as a team," coach Flip Saunders said. "It's going to take a little time."

Shabazz Muhammad (oblique) and Robbie Hummel (hand) remain out indefinitely for the Timberwolves while rookie Zach LaVine (ankle) is questionable for this game.

Nikola Pekovic had 19 points and 11 rebounds in the loss in Miami in November. He's averaging 18.3 points and 11.7 boards in his last three games against the Heat.