SEASON-DEFINING STRETCH?
If the Wolves are going to salvage their season, they might need to surge in their next 13 games, between Sunday and Feb. 2 — a stretch that would leave them just five days short of the NBA trade deadline, when veteran players on expiring contracts could be moved. Here's a quick look at some of the highlights of an inviting slate:
• Eight games at Target Center, and all of them are against Western Conference foes — giving the Wolves a chance to make up ground. It starts Sunday against the Lakers, who will be without injured star LeBron James. Also included: Dallas, New Orleans, San Antonio, Phoenix, Utah, Memphis and Denver.
• Two sets of back-to-back games but also three instances where the Wolves have two days of rest between games.
• Only two games against a top-three team in the West or East (home against Denver, at Oklahoma City).