Minnesota Sports Roundup: Wolves to host Orlando tonight

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The 2-and-1 Minnesota Timberwolves are back on their home court for a game tonight against the Orlando Magic. Minnesota did not practice yesterday and will have a pregame shoot around today at the Target Center. The Wolves rallied from a 22-point deficit to beat Brooklyn on Monday night. Orlando lost in Chicago last night. Tonight's game tips off at 7 p.m. There are tickets still remaining for the contest.

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The NBA issued flopping warnings to Minnesota Timberwolves guard J.J. Barea on Monday. The warning was issued in accordance with the league's new anti-flopping policy. If Barea flops again he will be fined five-thousand dollars. A third violation would result in a 10-thousand-dollar fine. A suspension could be issued if the policy is violated six times.

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Twins general manager Terry Ryan is in Indian Wells, California today for the start of the General Managers Meetings. GM's from all 30 clubs are slated to gather to discuss potential trades and gauge the free-agent market ahead of next month's Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee.

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- The NHL and its Players' Association met for over seven hours on Tuesday at an undisclosed location in New York about their ongoing labor issues. Neither side made any public comments about the progress of the meetings but multiple media outlets are reporting that meetings will continue on Wednesday. Representatives had previously referred to Tuesday's talks as "make-or-break" type negotiations. The current labor dispute has already cost the league a chance at a full 82-game season as games have been cancelled through the end of November. The league also cancelled the January 1st Winter Classic last week. The Minnesota Wild were to have played their tenth game of the season last night in Boston.

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After beginning the season 4-1 the Minnesota Vikings have came back down to earth dropping three of their last four. At 5-4 the Vikings are currently on the outside looking in of the NFC playoff picture. Minnesota will try to end its two-game losing streak this Sunday when it hosts the Lions. Detroit returns to practice today as they prepare for Sunday's game at Minnesota. Following a 1-3 start, Detroit has moved back into the playoff picture with a 4-4 mark. For the second straight week, the Vikings were the only NFC North team to lose last Sunday. Kickoff this Sunday is noon at the Metrodome.

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The leading receiver for the Golden Gopher football team is doubtful for this Saturday's game at Illinois. A.J. Barker of St. Paul missed last week's game against Michigan with an ankle sprain Barker has 30 receptions this season for 577 yards and seven touchdowns. Head coach Jerry Kill says the pass catcher is likely out for this weekend, as well. Barker was hoping to play last week when he aggravated the injury during pregame warmups. Kill says Barker will almost certainly not practice this week. The 5-and-5 Gophers are hoping to beat the 2-and-7 Illini to secure bowl eligibility. Kickoff on Saturday is set for 2:30 p.m.

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The Minnesota State-Mankato men's hockey team split a pair of games over the weekend against No. 2 Minnesota. That has landed two Mavericks with WCHA honors. Sophomore defenseman Zach Palmquist of South St. Paul is this week's WCHA Defensive Player of the Week, while his teammate Dylan Margonari of Greensburg, Pennsylvania is the league's Freshman of the Week. Nebraska-Omaha forward Zahn Raubenheimer of Smoky Lake, Alberta is the Offensive Player of the Week.

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