Minnesota (10-4) has lost two consecutive games for the first time this season because it's struggling defensively, period.

For the second straight game, the Wolves were outshot by an opponent. For the second straight game, and for only the third time this season, a Wolves opponent shot better than 45 percent. And for the second straight game, an opponent's starting shooting guard -- this time Piatkowski -- had a season high (24 points).

"Our scouting report was that we did not want to leave him alone unguarded, and we did,'' Wolves coach Flip Saunders said. "It shows we didn't learn much from the Seattle game.''