There is a lot of competition, but I wonder if Monday night's Timberwolves loss wasn't the worst of the season. Up 10 at the half against Boston, up 13 entering the fourth ... losing 99-93.

Boston scored the first 17 points of the fourth quarter and never looked back. The fourth quarter is the new third quarter for the Wolves.

It's kind of amazing that a team can lose when having a 12-rebound edge on its opponent, a 58-34 edge in the paint and a 17-8 edge on second-chance points.

A very slight silver lining: The Wolves offense didn't fall into dysfunction when things went haywire.

They kept moving the ball and got a lot of open looks at three-pointers. Unfortunately, only 1-of-11 went in the fourth quarter. Zach LaVine was 0-for-5 on three-pointers in the quarter.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 27 points and a season-high 18 rebounds. It was his seventh double-double of the year and his fifth career game with 25 or more points and 15 or more rebounds.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD