The Wolves will take today off and then return to practice Sunday at their Target Center facility to prepare for Wednesday’s season opener against Sacramento. Now that the final cuts have been made — barring a late move before Monday’s final roster deadline — injured center Jason Collins is expected to return to practice sometime next week, possibly starting Thursday.

Randy Wittman said he still doesn’t know exactly what Collins will provide because he hasn’t coached him yet.

“I haven’t had that interaction with him,” Wittman said. “Does he pick things up quick? Is he alert? I think he can help us, no question. He has size, experience. He has been a starter. He has come off the bench.”

Collins also has played in the NBA Finals, with New Jersey.

“Huge, huge, to be out on that floor in that type of situation is unbelieveable.”

On another topic: Did you see that almost-Timberwolf Shaun Livingston played in Miami’s final two preseason games, going 16 minutes in Friday night’s victory at San Antonio and making 4 of 8 shots from the field? And guess who hit the winning shot at the buzzer: Rookie Mario Chalmers, technically a Wolf for a few fleeting moments on draft night who had a double-double (11 points, 10 assists, four turnovers) while starting at point guard.

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