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The Minnesota Timberwolves have started to play the type of basketball that many expected they could for the past few seasons. Minnesota still clearly isn’t where they want or need to be, but this season has been a major improvement.
Minnesota doesn’t seem like a team at the moment that is really going to find a bunch of success in the playoffs, but if things are clicking for them, they could be able to shock a few teams if things do go right. Guys like Karl Anthony-Towns, D’Angelo Russell, and Anthony Edwards are really going to have to step up for the Timberwolves to find success.
Let’s take a look at three teams who could potentially pose the biggest threat to this Timberwolves team come playoff time.
Winning an NBA title is never easy. As we have seen with the past 20 champions, every team is going to need something significant to go their way. Whether that is an unfortunate injury to someone, or having guys on the roster step up more than they ever have. There is a reason why winning a championship is so hard, and a reason why we have seen crazy upsets in the past. If a team is going to win a title, they’re going to need everyone on their roster to be playing the best basketball they possibly can, and even sometimes that isn’t enough to get the job done. Matchups are always something that is going to play a major factor, and some teams just know how to get the job done against certain teams when it matters most.
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The Biggest Threats To The Timberwolves In The Playoffs, Ranked
3. Clippers
There’s no denying that the Los Angeles Clippers will be a favorite to win the NBA title next season if they stay healthy. They have numerous players that can score and defend at a high level across their roster, in addition to two superstars in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Half of their role players are elite 3 and D guys, and surrounding such players with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard usually results in success.
The Clippers are in an odd predicament since Paul George and Kawhi Leonard’s status for this season is still unknown. However, the NBA must be concerned if both of those players return. They have a very dangerous squad, especially when you consider how well Kawhi Leonard performs in the playoffs.
Minnesota will have a tough time with the Clippers, healthy or not, but if they play their A-game, the Timberwolves could sneak out a series win.
2. Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have been very good this year. There are obviously times where this team has struggled, but that could be because Draymond Green has not really been able to play for the past few months. When Draymond Green is not on the court, this is a completely different team. Fortunately for Golden State and unfortunately for other teams, he’s going to be fully healthy for the playoffs, and it is expected that he is going to return sometime soon.
When he is on the court and healthy, they are most certainly a team that is probably going to win an NBA title. The one other team in the Western Conference who should really be able to knock this team out is the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix has been incredible this year, and at the moment, it would be tough to argue that any other teams outside of the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns are going to meet in the Western Conference Finals.
Minnesota isn’t a great defensive team so this is where it becomes a major issue. Stephen Curry is going to be able to get anything he wants. Fortunately for Minnesota, the Golden State Warriors do not have a good paint defense, which should result in him being able to score at will.
1. Suns
The Phoenix Suns are not just the top team in the Western Conference this season, but also the best team in the NBA. On both sides of the court, Chris Paul and Devin Booker have effectively taken over for the Suns, putting them in a position to win another championship.
The injury to Chris Paul does not appear to be serious, which is excellent news for the Phoenix Suns and NBA fans in general. Although it has the potential to keep him out for eight weeks, it is merely a hand injury, and he should be able to continue his normal activities once he recovers. If he doesn’t, the Timberwolves will have to seize the moment and find a way to overcome the Phoenix Suns, who are a quality team.
Even if Chris Paul isn’t healthy, this Suns team will be difficult to beat. It will be tough, but the Timberwolves could be able to win if their offense clicks and they can play the type of basketball they’ve shown at times this season.