NBA coaches like to refer to their 82-game season as a marathon. If so, the Timberwolves are staring up the steepest hill along the course.

Tuesday's home game against Golden State began a brutal stretch in which the Wolves play four games in five days and eight over the next 12 days.

Making matters worse, the eight games are four sets of back-to-backs. In each case, the Wolves play at home one day and on the road the following night.

Wolves coach Flip Saunders said he only worries about that day's game, but he realizes playing so many games in a short period of time is bound to take its toll.

"There are some that you've got good chances," he said. "And there are some that are tough to play. You have to play at a really high level. You have to hope your bench has great energy and can help you out."

Saunders said that is especially important on the second night of back-to-backs. Last season, the Wolves were only 3-14 on the second night of back-to-backs. They are 2-2 this season.