To use a Kevin McHale-ism, they won't light a stick of dynamite. The Timberwolves vice president said early in their current playoff series that blowing up the team would be "silly."

But even if the Wolves beat the Dallas Mavericks today at Target Center to extend their first-round series to four games ? or even if they come back from a 2-0 deficit to advance to the second round for the first time in franchise history ? there will be at least a few firecrackers tossed into the mix this offseason.

"I had convinced myself that we needed to do a couple of things prior to the series, but if we're lucky enough to come back and win this series, will it change my opinion? Not really," McHale said. "You try to establish what you're trying to accomplish over 82 games as opposed to one series."

Said owner Glen Taylor: "When you look at this team, it finished with the sixth-best record in the league. Certainly, we're not going to make any major changes. But there are things we can do to make this team better."

For those who believe it's too early ponder the future, consider this: Only six teams in NBA history have won a best-of-five series after falling behind 2-0. Only one other team has lost in the first round for six straight seasons, which the Wolves are on the brink of doing. True, fourth-seeded Dallas won only seven more regular-season games than Minnesota, but check the playoff boxscores to discover how much more talent and depth the Mavs have.

The Wolves are in the same old position of trying to catch up in this series and will be during the offseason, too.