For all the praise for Minnesota's new zone defense, extra depth and franchise-best start, the Wolves are struggling with an old problem: getting to the free-throw line. They are the worst in the NBA, averaging 20.3 attempts per game.

Why? They insist on passing the ball out to the perimeter, instead of completing drives to the basket.

It is one of the many reasons the Wolves, who are 10-4, have lost two consecutive games for the first time this season. It is one of the things they'll have to improve Saturday against the Lakers, if they want to beat the two-time defending NBA champs.

"I think at the end of the day, you're always going to go to your comfort zone,'' said Garnett, who didn't attempt a free throw on Wednesday and didn't appear comfortable with his 7-for-18 shooting performance, either. "For most of us, the comfort zone is hitting that 15-, 16-footer. When it's not clicking, I don't think we think: "Let's get some fouls, let's get some fouls.' "