A night after their blowout loss to Houston, the Timberwolves came out
with a bit more energy early. They were tied with San Antonio at 24-all
after one quarter, when they were shooting nearly 60 percent.
 

By halftime they were up 45-44 and were outrebounding the Spurs 20-15.
Minnesota’s early performance was in stark contrast to the night
before, when they were down by more than 30 points at halftime. 

 
 
 
Wolves record: 5-31
 
 
 
 
This time, the Wolves were undone when the Spurs emerged from the
tunnel spitting sparks and shooting threes, assuming control of the
evening and dispatching the Wolves to their 14th consecutive road loss
by outscoring them 11-2 from the start and then repelling the visitors
when they scratched back to within five points early in the fourth
quarter.
 
 
Coming into Saturday, eight of the Wolves’ previous
10 losses had been by more than 10 points. Earlier this season, they
were hanging tough and often losing by narrow margins. But the team’s
defense appears to have regressed, especially during games in which
they’re struggling on offense.
 
Asked whether his players understand they must focus
on defense, Wittman said Saturday: "They’re going to begin to get it.
We’ve got to. It’s been said. They know that’s what I want. That’s first and foremost."
 
Wittman said defense was the sole focus of Saturday’s video review of the Houston game.
 
   
 
18 Point differential between Al Jefferson’s six-point game Friday and his 24-pointer Saturday.