Luke Ridnour has been a big key to the team’s back court success over the past three weeks. He’s averaging 13.0 points per game and is shooting 50.8 percent in December, has scored in double figures in nine consecutive games and is averaging 5.3 assists during the team’s 7-2 stretch. He was the team’s leading scorer against the Magic in November, shooting 6-of-9 and hitting 3-of-4 3-point attempts. That’s going to be key tonight, as the Magic have sharpshooters like JJ Redick who can get hot from the perimeter on any given night. Jameer Nelson missed six of his team’s first seven games this year, including the Nov. 7 matchup with the Wolves, but since he’s returned the 2009 All-Star has made an impact. He’s averaging 12.9 points and 6.3 assists this season, and in the wins column Orlando certainly feels his effect. The Magic are 9-8 this season with Nelson in the lineup and are 1-5 without him. His 6.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds per night are both career highs. Nelson can facilitate or create on his own, and he’ll be a key part of Orlando’s back court tonight. Injury update The Timberwolves got a huge boost from Rubio on Saturday night, returning to the lineup and contributing immediately as if he hadn’t missed nine months after knee surgery. He’s available on this two-game road trip, but Wolves coach Rick Adelman has said he isn’t sure Rubio will play in back-to-backs to make sure they are easing him back into the lineup. That means he might or might not play in Orlando or Miami over the next two days. Meanwhile, guard/forward Josh Howard is listed as doubtful tonight with a hyper-extended right knee and Kevin Love is probable after missing Saturday’s game with flu-like symptoms. For Orlando, forward Al Harrington has missed the entire season recovering from meniscus surgery in his right knee. Forward Hedu Turkoglu suffered a broken left hand in the Magic’s season-opener against Denver and has been sidelined since. Neither will be available tonight against the Wolves.
*-Missed last game, probable for tonight