Only a fool would complain about having to play the Philadelphia 76ers without Allen Iverson. But the competitor in Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders, along with that mad-scientist side that emerges when the topic is zone defenses, surely missed the chance to flex the NBA's new rules against its leading scorer.

The Wolves used the zone extensively in the second quarter of their 83-74 victory Tuesday night at Target Center. But it was a mere sampling of what they would have thrown at Iverson, the pesky 2001 Most Valuable Player. Now Saunders will have to wait until Jan. 30, when the teams play in Philly.