http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/16234264.htm SAN ANTONIO — Timberwolves guard Rashad McCants made his first road trip of the season, a small step toward reincorporating him into the mix as he continues his rehabilitation. There still is no definite timetable for when McCants will return from right knee surgery. He still is limited to non-contact drills in practice. But his presence in San Antonio for Wednesday's game against the Spurs was another sign that he's making progress. "We get to interact with him a little more," forward Kevin Garnett said. "That's probably good for his confidence, to interact with the team. It's good to see." Coach Dwane Casey said McCants won't necessarily make every road trip, but the Wolves want to have the second-year guard around more. "It's something we'd like to keep him around closer as time gets closer to him coming back," Casey said. McCants, who had surgery in June, has said he plans to return at some point this season. As the ball bounces: Casey said the Wolves plan to practice with leather basketballs on Dec. 31, a day before their New Year's Day game at Charlotte. The switch to the leather balls is a tricky situation because the Wolves will play with the current synthetic model on Dec. 30 at New Jersey. That means players won't have much time to get used to the change, which was announced by the NBA on Monday and is effective Jan. 1. Garnett said the players will have to adjust to the change but added it isn't a big deal. They might incorporate the leather ball into their routines a few days before the first game. Garnett was one of the stars who spoke out against the synthetic ball, introduced this season. The leather ball had been used for three decades. "The ball issue is very sensitive but a very important issue," Garnett said. "It's how we make our living. It will be good to see the old leather back." Briefly: Marko Jaric has been a mainstay for the Wolves in the fourth quarter. Casey likes his experience and knowledge of the game. Jaric also can play good defense against shooting guards and small forwards. "He's played a lot of international basketball, a lot professionally overseas," Casey said. "There aren't a lot of situations he hasn't seen. The only problem last season was speed and quickness, trying to guard a Tony Parker, trying to guard a Steve Nash. That put him in a tough situation. But now he's far more comfortable guarding twos and threes in those situations. Guys like (Tracy) McGrady, a guy like Kobe (Bryant). I think he's way more comfortable in that situation." Casey said Jaric's playing time late in games will depend on foul trouble — sometimes the veteran fills in for Trenton Hassell — and what is needed on the court. Jaric played seven minutes in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's 95-82 loss at San Antonio, committing two turnovers and scoring two points as the Wolves struggled under the Spurs' pressure defense. ‧ Wolves forward Mark Madsen, still bothered by a sore right shoulder, was on the inactive list. He has missed the past three games since injuring the shoulder Dec. 6 against Houston. The Wolves are 6-3 in games he has played. --

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