Timberwolves to play Milwaukee twice in preseason

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The first chance for pro basketball fans in Minnesota to see the new-look Timberwolves in action will come at Target Center on Dec. 17.

The Timberwolves will tip off a shortened, two-game preseason schedule with a home game against the Milwaukee Bucks that night. It will mark the NBA debut for Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio and No. 2 overall draft pick Derrick Williams.

The Wolves will travel to Milwaukee for an exhibition game on Dec. 21.

Tickets for the preseason home game will go on sale on Wednesday and the NBA will unveil the full 66-game regular season schedule on Tuesday.

The shortened schedule was caused by a five-month-long lockout. The league's owners and players tentatively agreed to a new contract last weekend.