Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett talked Monday about his team's four-game losing streak, about how they would "turn this thing around'' and how everything would be "OK.'' He did not give specifics, such as how or when.

"It's not time for the guys to start scattering around and going in different ways,'' Garnett said after his team's 108-99 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

He was speaking of unity off the court. Problem is, that's just what has been missing on the court.

Oh, the high-fives and butt-slaps are still evident. But the crisp passes, careful ball handling, quick ball movement and potent offense that symbolized the Wolves when they were the top team in the Midwest Division has sunk like the Wolves' record (40-23) and place in the standings ? fifth in the Western Conference, out of home-court playoff position and only two games ahead of sixth-seeded Portland.