A ray of hope

The Wolves are below .500, but the schedule affords them at least a couple more runs at getting past the .500 barrier. Minnesota faces just one team in the next six games with a winning record. There's also an eight-game stretch to start March that doesn't include any games against teams with a winning record, with six of those games at home. Of their final 46 games, only 18 are against teams with a winning record. Here's a look at the Wolves' future schedule, by month:

JANUARY

Home: 5

Away: 6

vs. winning teams: 3

vs. .500 or worse: 8

FEBRUARY

Home: 5

Away: 6

vs. winning teams: 7

vs. .500 or worse: 4

MARCH

Home: 9

Away: 7

vs. winning teams: 4

vs. .500 or worse: 12

APRIL

Home: 5

Away: 4

vs. winning teams: 4

vs. .500 or worse: 5