The Wizards (38-29) have split the first eight games of a 12-game gauntlet against opponents who all have winning records, but are coming off one of their worst losses of the season, a 129-102 thrashing administered by Miami on Saturday that cut into their lead atop the Southeast Division.
While playing on the back end of consecutive nights, the poor effort was all the more surprising considering the Heat played without starting center Hassan Whiteside and lost veteran guard Dwyane Wade to a hamstring injury in the first half. Yet the Wizards gave up 43 third-quarter points, conceded 76 points in the paint and allowed Miami to shoot a blistering 59.1 percent, the highest mark allowed by Washington this season.
Jodie Meeks scored a season-high 23 points off the bench in extended minutes as Washington now look to avoid their sixth loss in eight games.
Minnesota (39-29) remain in the hunt for the Northwest Division title as they look for consistency without injured All-Star guard Jimmy Butler. They snapped a three-game skid with a 109-103 victory over Golden State on Sunday.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 14 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and pulled down 16 rebounds while Andrew Wiggins added 23 points for the Timberwolves, who limited the defending NBA champions, albeit without injured guard Stephen Curry, to 19 points in the final period. The Wolves are 5-7 without Butler and have split the six games since Butler tore his meniscus.