Before the Wolves boarded their charter to Charlotte, they spent much of Thursday's practice working on their defense, in two particular areas. First, their post defense against Bobcats center Al Jefferson, and their pick-and-roll defense against Bobcats guard Kemba Walker.

Jefferson, in particular, has really had it rolling lately.

"Everyone knows what he's capable of," Kevin Love said. "People ask me who is the toughest guy to go against, when it comes to the post. It's Al."

Jefferson is the only Eastern Conference player averaging better than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. He and Walker have the Bobcats playing pretty well right now, having won four of five games. The team is currently in the playoff picture out East.

"He has played great the last three weeks," Wolves coach Rick Adelman said of Jefferson. They made the trade – getting Luke Ridnour and Gary Neal in trade Feb. 20 – they added a couple shooters. They're a better all-around team.''

Here are some other items from today's practice:

--Look for Adelman to try to find more time for Ricky Rubio and J.J. Barea to play together going forward. After spending much of the season trying to find a rotation he can stick with, Adleman sounded Thursday like he was going to try to tighten it up a bit.

--Center Ronny Turiaf, out since Feb. 19 with a bone bruise in his right knee, did some things on the court today. Adelman said he hopes Turiaf's return was near. Turiaf, talking briefly with the press, said he still felt pain in the knee when he bends the knee and that the knee was quite tender. "It's been very frustrating," he said.

--Adelman said center Nikola Pekovic's ongoing minutes limitation might be easing soon. And the team needs it, with some nice centers on the upcoming schedule.

That's about it for now. Jerry will be with the team in Charlotte.