Starting with that 108-98 overtime victory over Memphis, Love has averaged 18 points in the Wolves' three wins, with one scoreless night in their lone loss at Dallas in between.

That's a reminder that he and this team still have a long way to go, but Love agreed that the first Memphis game represented a personal turning point.

"It was right before the New Year, you know," he said Monday. "I was hoping to come into 2009 on a little bit of a roll, and hopefully we can keep that going. There's still going to be some downs; I'm on an up part right now, but hopefully I can be a little bit more consistent in 2009."

Considering Love had scored a total of nine points in the five games before his first encounter with Mayo, the Wolves' rookie forward really had no place to go but up.

Unlike Mayo, Love isn't starting or playing nearly as many minutes, which puts him at an obvious disadvantage in any comparisons between the two.

Even so, Love said he has no problem with coach Kevin McHale's position that the former UCLA center will have to earn his playing time.

"I've got to buy it," Love said. "O.J.'s having a rookie of the year-type season. There's no doubt about that, no question. I understand it. It's just a little different for me, as you guys can imagine. I've always played a lot of minutes. I don't disagree with me having to earn them, but playing 22 minutes a game right now, hopefully I'll keep building on it in the second half of the season."

McHale said Love has played well and aggressively lately and that the Wolves need to make sure they keep getting him the ball in his operating spots.

Already an accomplished rebounder, Love is averaging 7.9 boards per game in 22.7 minutes, and McHale said he's only going to get better as a player as his shot and post game improve.

"Like I've said all along, the sky's the limit for that kid," McHale said. "He's a good kid and he works hard, and you know what? He's younger than three of my children. I've just got to remember that."

Love, 20, said there's no simple explanation for his four-game turnaround.

He has been putting in some extra time after practice with assistant coach Dean Cooper, working on his touch shots around the rim and trusting that they will go in.

The difference is, they finally have started to.

"The biggest thing is, those little, excuse my French, bull(squat) chip shots I've been missing, they're starting to go in a little bit," Love said. "If I start knocking down more of my free throws, start knocking down my jumper a little bit, that'll open some more stuff for me. The good thing is I've got my confidence. When I'm getting the ball, I'm looking to shoot, looking to drive, looking to pass. So I've got confidence."

At 6 feet 9 1/2 in tennis shoes, Love also has learned that he can't get away with laying the ball up, like he did in college.

Against shot blockers like Chicago's Tyrus Thomas and Orlando's Dwight Howard, you either go in strong and dunk or risk having the ball swatted away.

"At my size, I'm going to have to get shots up quicker," Love said. "Maybe fade a little bit on my jump hook, just shoot a little different shots. If you're going to be good at this size, you've got to do something unorthodox. You've got to do something different, a little off, a little weird. I'm trying to figure that out right now."

The good news for the Wolves, based on the past four games, is he appears to be getting closer to some answers.

Ollie out: Guard Kevin Ollie is expected to miss the next three weeks because of a dislocated left elbow. Ollie was examined by team doctors Monday and will be re-examined in three weeks.

Could that put the Wolves in the market for a backup point guard?

"We'll see what transpires," McHale said.

Briefly: The NBA named center Al Jefferson the Western Conference player of the week.

Up next: Timberwolves at Memphis, 7 tonight, KSTC Ch. 45, KFAN-AM 1130