It might sound strange coming on the heels of two losses to two bad teams. But I thought there were some positives for the Wolves to focus on as they get ready for a very critical six-game homestand.

No, I don't think I'm crazy. Yes, I know the Wolves just lost back-to-back games against the two teams with the worst records in the Eastern Conference.

But there are rays of hope:

--Ricky Rubio looked very good tonight. Playing on the back end of a back to back, he had perhaps his best all-around game of the season. He was wonderful in the fourth quarter, when he had three points, three steals and two assists as the Wolves came back from eight down to hold a two-point lead before Gerald Henderson's three-pointer doomed them.

--Luke Ridnour continues to play well, with a 22-point, seven-rebound, seven-assist game.

--The Wolves should get both Nikola Pekovic and Alexey Shved back at some point in this homestand, with Shved perhaps being ready as early as Wednesday.

--Despite the losses, I was impressed with the energy the Wolves brought to the start of Saturday's game, and the fact that, down eight in the fourth, they fought back. I know, I know, they lost the game. But the players have not given up.

Some other thoughts from the game:

--I wonder if Barea's reputation for flopping hurt him in the closing seconds.

--Center Greg Stiemsma had a wonderful game, scoring 11 points with seven rebounds and two blocks.

--I wonder if Andrei Kirilenko isn't a little tired. He looked a little slower tonight. Though getting hit early – and requiring six stitches – couldn't have helped.

--What is it about former Wolves players? Tonight Ramon Sessions had 23 points off the bench for the Bobcats.

That's about it for now. The Wolves will have Sunday off, then begin preparations for Wednesday's game against the Clippers.