Timberwolves forward Corey Brewer leads the NBA with 2.3 steals per game and has 14 steals combined in the past three games.

At the beginning of the season, Wolves coach Flip Saunders stressed that Brewer, Ricky Rubio and Thad Young need to be more disciplined on when to attempt for a steal.

“We would like to get steals within our defense,” Saunders said. “Sometimes (Brewer) puts himself out of position.”

Yet when Brewer gets out of position in a steal attempt against winning teams, Saunders said it gives them a better chance to score.

“I can’t fault him for playing hard and that’s what he does do,” Saunders said.

BRIEFLY

Forward Andrew Wiggins received the award for the Western Conference rookie of the month prior to Sunday’s tipoff against Los Angeles. … Gophers football coach Jerry Kill received a personalized No. 14 jersey from Saunders. … Mo Williams (back) missed his fifth straight game Sunday.

Follow Andy Greder at twitter.com/twolvesnow.