Wolves preseason record: 1-1

Kurt Rambis has adjusted the starting lineup slightly tonight from Sunday’s preseason opener: This time, he has moved Corey Brewer from guard to small forward and insert Sasha Pavlovic in the backcourt next to Jonny Flynn while Ryan Gomes take a seat to start the game.

Rambis again, on the advice of trainer Greg Farnam, will limit the minutes of Al Jefferson and Corey Brewer.

Rather than be concerned, Rambis said he was merely “disappointed” with his team’s lack of effort in a 112-97 loss to Toronto at Target Center.

“This is preseason,” he said. “We’re still trying things.”

Corey Brewer led Minnesota with 16 points while Al Jefferson and rookie Jonny Flynn each had 14 as new coach Kurt Rambis gave the home crowd its first look at his rebuilt roster.

Jefferson, who missed the final 32 games of last season with a torn ACL, has scored 28 points in nearly 34 minutes this preseason. Aside from Jefferson’s efficiency, though, the Wolves showed they have plenty of rough spots to work out.

Rambis bemoaned the way his team started and finished the game.

“We’re going to be outmatched a lot of the nights, but we shouldn’t be where our effort hurts us,” he said.

Rambis gave the Wolves a slight pass because of the learning process. He and his staff are still trying to implement a new system on offense and defense, and they’re relying on a rookie point guard to be the front man for both functions.

Fans curious about Jonny Flynn, the team’s first-round draft pick, will need more time before getting excited about the former Syracuse standout. Flynn scored 14 points — six at the free-throw line — but he had five turnovers and only one assist. Two of Flynn’s turnovers came in the disastrous first quarter and earned him a long stretch on the bench in the first half.

Flynn wasn’t the only Wolves player who struggled. When Toronto raced out to a big lead in the first quarter, Rambis cited too many defensive lapses.

Coach Kurt Rambis continued to script out playing time before the game so he would stick to giving players a fair look rather than be influenced by score and game situations.
Jefferson’s playing time was bumped up from 16 minutes Sunday against Milwaukee to 17 minutes Friday, but once again he did not play in the second half on the advice of trainer Greg Farnam. Corey Brewer played into the third quarter this time after being limited to the first half on Sunday, despite picking up four first-half fouls. Jefferson scored 14 points on 7-for-12 shooting in his 17 minutes and had one rebound.