The seven tuneup games the Timberwolves played in October to gauge their work in training camp was otherwise known as the preseason.

The 11 games the Wolves have played since then, from their opener against Philadelphia on Oct. 30 to their 117-106 loss at Orlando on Wednesday, can be considered their pre-serious.

But now things get serious. Their next 12 games are against teams from the Western Conference, the NBA's stronger side. That means facing rivals for the eight postseason berths. Games that essentially count double in the standings. Three time zones, three sets of back-to-back games. Six on the road, six at home. Six within the Midwest Division, six against the Pacific. Seattle twice, Dallas twice, the Lakers in L.A., the Jazz in Salt Lake City, visits by Sacramento and, to get it all started Saturday at Target Center, the San Antonio Spurs.

"This is where we have to put our focus," Wolves forward Kevin Garnett said. "We have to win [all] games, but the West is the teams we're going to see come playoff time.