Losing Streak Vexes Garnett

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It's only December, but the Timberwolves' leader labeled tonight's game against the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets a "must-win."

The strain of a four-game losing streak burns, and no less for all-star Kevin Garnett. The Wolves are stuck in their longest slump of the season as they kick off a four-game homestand.

"We've got to figure something out," Garnett said after the Wolves' 102-95 loss at Dallas on Sunday night. "This game coming up against New Orleans is probably a must-win game. We've got to come out with some fire, ticked off at the world, at the same time execute, take care of some of the small things that are killing us."

Those things include tightening the three-point defense and getting more offensive production from reserves.
It could be worse, the Wolves say. The team has been in some close games, and that makes losing less painful than being blown out every night.

"You can't accept a loss, but it's a little bit easier because you always think, 'You know what, we were there,' " guard Marko Jaric said. "It's a killer when you lose a game against Sacramento like that. But definitely we're working hard every day in practice. We're keeping together, and I'm sure we're going to get out of this little crisis we have."
Last week, Minnesota lost to Philadelphia, Sacramento and San Antonio by a combined five points, including one in overtime (the 76ers) and one at the buzzer (the Kings, on Bonzi Wells' three-pointer at the buzzer).

Then, Sunday night in Dallas, the score was tied 70-70 early in the fourth quarter before the Mavericks went on a 22-10 run.

"We can get out of this," Jaric said. "We're in a tough period ahead of us. If we want to get to the playoff picture, we need to start (tonight)."

The Hornets, who defeated Minnesota 84-80 on Nov. 23 in Oklahoma City, are one of the few Wolves opponents for the foreseeable future who didn't make the playoffs last season. Starting with the loss to Philadelphia on Dec. 12, 21 of 26 games are against playoff teams. So far, the Wolves are 0-4 against playoff teams.

"It's a combination of a lot of things," Wolves coach Dwane Casey said. "I think a lot of it is that we hit some teams that are really playing well ? Dallas, San Antonio, Sacramento at that time. It's more of the little things. I think we've gotten away from executing the little things defensively and offensively also."

During the Timberwolves' losing streak, opponents shot 23 for 41 (56 percent) combined from three-point range. Many of those shots have been the result of mental breakdowns and improper defensive rotations, Casey said.
Also during the slump, the Wolves have been outscored 94-65 in the second quarter. Garnett generally rests during the beginning of the second quarters, and the second unit plays extended time.

"If we do tweak the starting lineup sometime down the road, it won't be because they're not producing; it will be to get some more 'oomph' coming off the bench with that second unit," Casey said. "That's what I'm more concerned about more than anything, is making sure we have some scoring coming with that second unit."</div>

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