"The Timberwolves would like to make quick work of the New Jersey Nets tonight, then return to the Twin Cities for Saturday's game against Houston to deal with a more pressing matter.

Three times this season, the Wolves (10-12) have had a successful road trip but lost their next game at Target Center. With a 5-4 road record, the Wolves join Oklahoma City (9-3) and Denver (7-4) as the only Western Conference teams with a road record above .500.

Wolves coach Rick Adelman shakes his head when he thinks about why his team is 5-8 at home.

"I wish I knew," he said. "Maybe the players get per diem. I've always had teams that played well at home."

The Wolves' sluggish performance at Target Center is a major reason why the team has failed to reach .500 this season. Adelman said he has talked several times to the players about the importance of playing better at home. He even has adjusted his schedule for shootaround practices on game days, canceling some sessions to give the players more rest.

Wolves forward Anthony Tolliver has a theory.

"I think we relax too much at home," he said. "We don't come out with the same fire and intensity like we do on the road. We know if we don't play hard and concentrate on the road, we'll get beat, and beat pretty bad." "