The Timberwolves looked scary in the first quarter of their first regular-season game Tuesday night for the same reasons they've failed to get past the first round of the playoffs the last few seasons: They were outrebounded, they shot poorly and they allowed a struggling team missing its superstar to take a double-digit lead.

What a way to start.

Nonetheless, the Wolves beat the Allen Iverson-less Philadelphia 76ers 83-74 at Target Center because they eventually used the wrinkles they hope will lead them past the first round of the playoffs for the first time: speed, depth and a matchup zone defense that led to more rebounds, more turnovers and easier points.

Minnesota improved its record to 6-7 on opening nights.

The stars of the night were Minnesota's reserves.  Rookie center Loren Woods (four points, two rebounds) showed some signs why he may, indeed, end up being the steal of the draft. And backup point guard Chauncey Billups (22 points on 8-for-14 shooting and three assists in 24 minutes) not only outshined starter Terrell Brandon (six points on 3-for-10 shooting and seven assists in 24 minutes), but was an aggressive, sharpshooting catalyst for the Wolves in the second quarter.