MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves have the best record at the All-Star break in the franchise's 15-year history.

They've been trying hard to temper any standings-related enthusiasm, remembering well the Timberwolves teams of the past that turned shiny midseason marks into first-round playoff losses _ including the last seven straight.

It's hard for Minnesota (37-15), however, to hide its excitement about the expected addition of three quality players for some portion of the season's final 30 games.

Swingman Wally Szczerbiak (sore left foot) has not played this season, guard Troy Hudson (severely sprained right ankle) has appeared in eight games, and center Michael Olowokandi (recovering from arthroscopic right knee surgery) in 15.

``They give us a better team,'' guard Fred Hoiberg said. ``They're going to help us, no doubt, get further in the playoffs. I'm excited about these guys coming back. I'm not worried about my role.''

Kevin Garnett, Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell are the highest-scoring trio in the league, and bit players like Hoiberg, Trenton Hassell, Gary Trent, Mark Madsen, Oliver Miller and Ervin Johnson have been an important part of the Wolves' success.

The key for coach Flip Saunders in the second half will be finding a way to incorporate the injured guys, assuming they heal on schedule, into the rotation with minimal disruption. Szczerbiak is due back first, possibly next week.

``Different guys bring different things to the table,'' Johnson said. ``You've just got to be ready when your name is called and help the team out.''

The Wolves, who have the NBA's third-best record and lead San Antonio by 2{ games in the Midwest Division, do have some other things to clean up.

``We've just got to have that energy and that edge on the defensive end, because we know we can score points,'' Garnett said. ``It's our consistency on the defensive end that worries us.''

Though they rank ninth in the league in scoring defense, the Wolves are prone to lapses. They've also been stung by slow starts.

``We need to come back and refocus these last 30 games,'' Trent said. ``Make sure we start playing playoff basketball. We have been winning so many games that are close that we get a little sloppy on some of our things.''

With contributions from the Szczerbiak-Hudson-Olowokandi trio nonexistent, the Wolves have relied heavily on Garnett, Cassell and Sprewell.

Garnett, 27, has not had any problems, but there are concerns about Cassell, 34, and Sprewell, 33, wearing down. Cassell is averaging 36.6 minutes per game while nursing a sore elbow, and Sprewell is at 38.9.

So with Saunders and his staff headed to Los Angeles to coach the Western Conference squad, Garnett and Cassell on their way to play in the All-Star game, and Sprewell headed there to hang out, there is concern whether Minnesota's leading men will get the rest they need during the break.

Saunders, however, isn't worried.

``K.G., he spends most of his time in the hotel room anyway,'' Saunders said. ``They'll still have the mental break, which is just as important as the physical.''

Saunders is quick to remind, too, that he is in charge this weekend _ as opposed to some rival coach who might be deviously drooling at the chance to run 'em ragged.

``I will have a say in how many minutes they play,'' Saunders said.