Rashad McCants returned after missing a game because of knee pain, but
the Wolves were without point guard Marko Jaric. Wittman will have a
better idea today whether Jaric, who sprained a foot and ankle against
San Antonio on Friday, will be ready for Tuesday’s game against the
Lakers. The Wolves are about a week away from knowing how close Randy
Foye (stress reaction in his kneecap) is to beginning his return.
Center Theo Ratliff (knee) is also out, and forward Al Jefferson has a
bruised left knee that limited him to less than 29 minutes and just
nine points against the Grizzlies.
 
 
 
As we should have mentioned above, Mark Madsen had a particularly
effective game Friday, in that he managed to piss off Tim Duncan enough
to get the normally unflappable superstar a technical foul. We asked
Bruce Bowen, veteran on-court asshole, what it’s like to play on a team
opposite Madsen.
 
“I don’t even know how to answer that,” Bowen responded, not disguising
his impatience with the question. “Just play basketball, that’s all.” 
 
 
The Wolves play host to the Los Angeles Lakers on
Tuesday. A trip to Atlanta and a home game against Phoenix round out
the week. This month includes 11 road games and only five home games.
 
If the Wolves lose to the Lakers, they will set a
record for the worst start in franchise history through 16 games. At
2-13, they’ve equaled the poor start of the 1994-95 Wolves.
 
 
Maybe there were legitimate attempts to deliver Garnett to the highest
bidder and the Bulls had as good a chance as anyone. But a number of
NBA insiders are skeptical.
 
 
Postgame quotes from the loss in Memphis.