Seattle (6-17) at Minnesota (3-17)

Tipoff: 5 p.m., Target Center, Minneapolis.

TV: FSN. Radio: 770-AM.

Series: Seattle won three out of four games against Minnesota a season ago, with the only loss a 101-82 setback at Minnesota. The Sonics have won the past three games in the series, and four of their past five.

Scouting the T-Wolves: Minnesota has lost seven of its last eight games by an average of 12.9 points. The team’s only victory during that span was a 100-93 win over Phoenix on Saturday.

Seattle will have to stop Minnesota’s Al Jefferson inside. The 22-year-old big man was the centerpiece the Wolves received in trading franchise player Kevin Garnett to Boston. Jefferson has 14 double-doubles through 20 games.

"He’s a good player," Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo said about Jefferson. "Al’s one of the better young bigs in the league. He can score. He can rebound. He’s very, very strong. He’s legit."

Similar to the game against New York, Carlesimo said Seattle will have to keep Minnesota off the boards inside, with Jefferson and Craig Smith two physical guys who pound the glass for the Wolves.

Minnesota center Theo Ratliff will have exploratory arthroscopic surgery Tuesday on the injured right knee that has kept him out for the past month. Randy Foye (left knee) and Greg Buckner (calf strain) also are out for the Wolves.

Scouting the Sonics: Seattle’s Delonte West has missed the past five games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot and will not play against the Wolves. And Robert Swift remains on the injured lift, working on losing weight and rehabilitating his surgically repaired right knee.

Guys coming in and out of the lineup has made Carlesimo’s evaluation process a bit tougher.

"I wouldn’t say we’re coming close to anything until everybody is healthy and we’ve had a chance to look at everybody," Carlesimo said. "Three guys have started every game. We haven’t changed a lot, but I don’t even think in those terms. Earl’s (Watson) the only one that’s been healthy the whole year. Luke’s (Ridnour) not even close to healthy now. And Delonte’s (West) not. It’s just that’s something that’s not even a consideration at this point."

Expect Wally Szczerbiak to have a big game tonight, playing at Minnesota where he started his professional career.

"I had six and a half phenomenal years here," Szczerbiak said. "I really love this place. I have a lot of great memories. I just took a ride over to my house that’s luckily going to get sold next week, so that will kind of close the chapter here in Minnesota for good. It was a lot fun. It’s always special coming back here."

It will be odd for Szczerbiak facing Minnesota without the team's former franchise player Kevin Garnett, who was traded to Boston during the offseason.

"Obviously a little bit," Szczerbiak said. "You know, I played with him for a lot of years. He’s moved on, and he’s doing pretty well where he is right now. The Timberwolves are in a different situation. They are struggling to get some wins, as we are, too."

Next: 6 p.m. Saturday at Utah, EnergySolutions Arena.