Sixers-Timberwolves: Looking to regain winning feeling vs. similar foe

Tuesday at 9:30 p.m., at Target Center

Talking points

The Sixers are facing a squad with which they have a lot in common on paper. The Timberwolves have two young stars in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. They also added veterans in Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, Jeff Teague and Jamal Crawford to help the rebuilding process. Meanwhile, the Sixers' young stars are Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons and their veteran additions are JJ Redick, Amir Johnson, Jerryd Bayless and Trevor Booker. But the banged-up Sixers are on a season-worst four-game losing streak. Meanwhile,  Minnesota has won two straight and four of its last six games. The Timberwolves also boast the fourth-best record in the Western Conference.

Sixers (13-13)

33 Robert Covington SF 6-9  15.3 ppg. 6.2 rpg.

9 Dario Saric PF 6-10  11.7 ppg. 6.9 rpg.

21 Joel Embiid C 7-2 23.5 ppg. 11.1 rpg.

17 JJ Redick G 6-4  16.6 ppg. 3.5 apg.

25 Ben Simmons PG 6-10 18.0 ppg. 9.1 rpg.

Coach: Brett Brown (fifth season, 88-266)

Injury report: Markelle Fultz (right shoulder rehabilitation, out); Justin Anderson (shin splints, out); Joel Embiid (back tightness, questionable); Robert Covington (lower-back contusion, questionable)

Timberwolves  (16-11)

22 Andrew Wiggins SF 6-8 18.2 ppg. 4.0 rpg.

67 Taj Gibson PF 6-9 11.2  ppg. 8.4 rpg.

32 Karl-Anthony Towns C 7-0 20.1 ppg. 11.6 rpg.

23 Jimmy Butler G 6-8 19.0 ppg. 5.5 rpg.

0  Jeff Teague G 6-2 13.6 ppg. 7.3 apg.

Coach: Tom Thibodeau (seventh season, 302-201)

Injury report:  Nemanja Bjelica (sprained left foot, questionable).

Timberwolves hold a 29-24 series advantage and have won 18 of 27 games in Minnesota.

Friday: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Oklahoma City Thunder at Sixers

Monday: 8 p.m., at United Center, Sixers at Chicago Bulls

Dec. 19: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Sacramento Kings at Sixers

Dec. 21: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Toronto Raptors at Sixers

Dec. 23: 5 p.m., at Air Canada Centre, Sixers at Raptors