J.J. Barea chatted with reporters after practice on Monday about Saturday night's ejection in the fourth quarter at Atlanta after he refused to quit complaining to the officials about their work and was whistled for two technical fouls.

"I just got a little frustrated with a couple calls," he said. "The first technical was fine. I should have stopped after the first one, you know. I think I was a little frustrated when I got to the locker room, I let my teammates down a little bit by getting that second one. But if something happens to me every once in a while...I'm doing a better job lately. I've only gotten two technicals this year. So I've just got to let that one go."

He said he isn't worried about developing -- or exacerbating -- a reputation.

"No, I'm going to play the game I was raised to play," Barea said. "I care a lot. I compete. I'm going to get mad if things don't go my way. That's what got me here, so I'm going to keep doing it."

One other thing from practice: Nikola Pekovic had the protective boot on his foot at today's practice, but he still needs to be re-evaluated later this week before he'll know when he might play again.

The Wolves are walking that thin line between wanting to get him back ASAP so their chance at the playoffs doesn't slip from sight while he's out and allowing that bursitis enough time to settle down. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if they decide to let him rest through the All-Star break, which is six games away.