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Wolves Making Due, Winning Without Injured Starters

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Why do we love sports?

Because we can never figure it out.

Take the Timberwolves, as Nikola Pekovic is out and won't play tonight.

They've lost six players off the active roster and yet they're one of the best teams in the west.

"We have three point guards, one 2-guard, one small forward, two power forwards and two centers," said coach Rick Adelman.

That makes nine healthy bodies -- it's part of a daily routine for Adelman.

So as the injured get shuffled off, the role players become key players.

"We're thin right now and we all have to contribute," said Lou Amundson. "We have a good coaching staff here."

Kevin Love running as part of conditioning is a symbol -- of what is and what will be.

Greg Stiemsma is an example of what has to be now.

"It's how my whole career has been, it's about opportunities," he said. "I've been able to make plays when I needed to."

Said Andrei Kirilenko, "Right now we're short-handed -- I don't know why, but we figure out ways of winning."

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