The Timberwolves, on recent trips into California, had fared so poorly, they were starting to wonder if it was San Andreas' fault.


They had lost 11 consecutive games within the state's borders since the end of the 1999-2000 season. They were 0-8 against the Lakers, the Kings, the Clippers and the Warriors last season, and until their 105-102 victory over Golden State Saturday night at The Arena in Oakland, were 0-3 this season.

To hear coach Flip Saunders tell it, there was nothing in the air, nothing even in the sushi to blame for his team's struggles west of the Sierra Nevada. It was simply a matter of the Lakers and Sacramento being nearly unbeatable at home, the Clippers being better at home and, well, the Warriors . . .