Some things to keep an eye on when the Lakers (11-9) visit the Minnesota Timberwolves (9-10) on Sunday evening at the Target Center.

1. Can the Lakers solve their road woes? The Lakers have shown no signs of doing so, including Saturday night's no-excuses, 100-89 loss to Milwaukee. The Bucks were finishing a back-to-back, having just played Chicago, and were without center Andrew Bogut (ankle) and guard Stephen Jackson (suspension). The Lakers had an incredible size advantage with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Yet, it didn't happen. Minnesota may be even more challenging.

2. How will the Lakers' energy level hold up? Common denominators in the Lakers' road losses have been poor starts and a lack of energy. Considering the Lakers are playing  a back-to-back, that could be a bigger worry. It's plausible that losing such a winnable game the night before may spark the Lakers, but the team remains unpredictable in nearly every facet of the game. 

3. Pau Gasol meets a challenge in Kevin Love. Minnesota fans had better enjoy the 24.9 points and 13.8 rebounds he's averaging in his fourth NBA season. With the Timberwolves' reluctant to offer him a max deal, it's possible Love will jet in three years. For now, Love provides consistency on the glass, in the post and on mid-range shots.

With Gasol, it's been the exact opposite. Other than his 23-point point outing Wednesday against the Clippers, Gasol has shown a lack of aggression and poor decision-making in the post. Against Milwaukee, Gasol got the ball enough but made only six of 18 shots. The discouraging part for Gasol: Love is much more talented than Bucks forward Drew Gooden.