MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves two stars are watching from the bench with injuries, and Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio are seeing a deep team respond with some inspired defence and unselfish offence to make up the difference. Orlandos only star is playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, and the young Magic are starting to find out that life without Dwight Howard will definitely take some getting used to. Luke Ridnour had 19 points and five rebounds, and Greg Stiemsma got the rout started with six straight points to end the third quarter in Minnesotas 90-75 victory over the Magic on Wednesday night. Stiemsma finished with 12 points, five boards and two blocks, and Derrick Williams added 14 points and six boards for the Timberwolves, who are 3-1 for the first time since 2001. They led an ugly game by three points early in the third period before going on a staggering 28-6 surge that blew open the game. "Weve got a group of guys that is willing to work and wants to do the little things," Stiemsma said. "We know were going to have to do it every night, especially now that were a little short-handed. Were not going to make excuses and just go out and play our style." Defence has been out of style in Minnesota for the better part of a decade. But these plucky Wolves have made it the backbone to their early success. They blocked nine shots, made 11 steals and forced 20 turnovers to overwhelm the Magic. J.J. Redick had 16 points, but the Magic shot just 35 per cent, including just 3 for 12 on 3-pointers to lose their second straight game. Arron Afflalo added 12 points for Orlando. "I wish the rim wouldve opened up and that ball wouldve slid through it," coach Jacque Vaughn deadpanned. "That always helps." The Wolves deserve some credit for the Magics struggles. They contested shots, got into passing lanes and knocked driving Magic players to the floor to help them withstand an 0-for-11 start to the second quarter in which they scored just 13 points. Thats the way it has to be without Rubio and Love. The Wolves were hoping to stay afloat thanks to a soft opening to the schedule, and they couldnt have asked for much better than this. They began the season with a sluggish win over Sacramento, dropped a game in Toronto and then surprised the Brooklyn Nets with a big comeback on Monday night before burying the Magic in the final 14 minutes. "Our defence has to be consistent every night," Wolves coach Rick Adelman said. The Wolves and Magic were both awful in the second quarter, combining to miss their first 19 shots and turning the ball over virtually every other trip down the court. Redick missed his first six shots from the field before getting going in the third, with his jumper off a screen cutting Minnesotas lead to 62-55 with just over a minute to play. Thats when Stiemsma took over. He scored the final six points of the period, then added a jumper to start the fourth, and the Wolves were off and running. Despite the trade of Howard to the Lakers, the Magic got off to a surprisingly strong start in Vaughns first season. They beat Denver and Phoenix to open the season, then had a narrow loss at Chicago on Tuesday night. Afflalo, Glen Davis and Redick had the offence humming at 103.3 points a game and shooting nearly 49 per cent from 3-point range. That started to ground to a halt against the Bulls on Tuesday night, and it slammed hard into the wall in Minnesota. Davis was just 2 for 9 and Afflalo was quiet after scoring 28 the previous night. "Im more disappointed in tonight," Afflalo said. "We didnt have the energy level or the effort to win tonights game." NOTES: Wolves PG J.J. Barea left the game in the fourth quarter with a sprained left foot and did not return. The team said he would be evaluated on Thursday ... Mo Harkless made his season debut for the Magic, scoring seven points in 23 minutes. ... Chase Budinger added 10 points and Nikola Pekovic had 11 points and five rebounds for the Wolves. ... Pekovic and Magic C Nikola Vucevic were teammates on the Montenegro national team. Vucevic managed just two points and four rebounds and was bullied by the older, bigger Pekovic most of the night. wholesale jerseys from china . Voracek came to Philadelphia last season in the deal that sent forward Jeff Carter to Columbus and had a big debut season in the Eastern Conference. cheap jerseys from china . 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The veteran midfielder became the first player from the expansion Impact to earn the league honour on Monday. Bernier set up goals from Felipe Martins, Justin Mapp and Andrew Wenger in a 4-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday night in the teams first game at its expanded and revamped stadium. The club started the season playing indoors at Olympic Stadium. The Brossard, Que., native, one of only two local players on the squad along with defender Carl Ouimette, signed with the Impact after nine seasons with various European clubs. He had begun his pro career with Montreal in lower leagues. Bernier recently regained his spot in the starting 11 after spending several games on the bench and has played his best soccer of the season. He has two goals and leads the club with four assists. Bernier stormed off the practice field when he learned he would not start the teams home opener in April, but otherwise took the demotion quietly and worked his way back to the first 11. Coach Jesse Marsch said Bernier, one of his most talented midfielders, showed character. "From the beginning, I told him he would be an important piece, because of the experience he has, because hes from here, and because of the position he plays," Marsch said. "Its been a bit of an adjustment for him to understand what this league is like and thats normal. "Hes handled himself in tough moments extremely well, at the highest level of any player Ive eveer been around.dddddddddddd. That shows you what kind of man he is. Now when its time to step on the field and contribute, hes ready to go." Bernier said the award came from a team effort. "Winning brings good things," he said. "The chemistry and cohesion on the team is getting better every game." The Impact left Monday for Los Angeles where they will face Chivas USA on Wednesday night. The teams have identical 4-7-3 records. Not on the flight was central defender Matteo Ferrari, who injured a quadriceps muscle in his right thigh while jumping for a high ball in front of Seattle goalkeeper Bryan Meredith. He was replaced by veteran Shavar Thomas in the 33rd minute. "Every time weve called on Shavar in difficult moments hes risen to the challenge," Marsch said of the former Jamaica international. Ferrari was to have an MRI exam to determine the extent of the injury. The Italian defender wrote on Twitter over the weekend that the injury appears to be serious. Also, forward Bernardo Corradi was walking gingerly on crutches after twisting his left knee during practice. Marsch did not know if hed be able to make the road trip. "He just got tangled a bit, were hopeful that its nothing big," Marsch said. Andrew Wenger is expected to start a second game in a row at striker. Marsch does not expect to make changes, other than Ferrari. The starting 11 should have Donovan Ricketts in goal, Zarek Valentin, Nelson Rivas, Thomas and Jeb Brovsky on defence, Bernier, Collen Warner, Davy Arnaud, Felipe Martins and Mapp in midfield, with Wenger up front. ' ' '