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Utah Jazz: Northwest Division Comparison – February

By Jared Woodcox

Jan 16, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) celebrates in the closing seconds of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Jazz defeated the Suns 106-101. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) celebrates in the closing seconds of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Jazz defeated the Suns 106-101. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 28, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dunks in the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dunks in the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Timberwolves

Current Record: 19-29

Standings: 5th in Division, 10th in Conference

January was actually a rather kind month to the Timberwolves as they went 8-7, their first time finishing above .500 over the course of a month this season. That improved play also saw them leap all the way up to 10th place in the conference standings and, although it’s a bit surprising, within striking distance of the eighth seed in the West.

While the Wolves truly have played better of late, that proximity to being in the playoff mix is unfortunately more a testament to how bad the bottom half of the Western Conference is this season than it is to their level of play.

Yet it’s also possible that this Minnesota team truly is starting to come together. Some of their wins in January were certainly impressive as they defeated the likes of the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers during that span.

https://twitter.com/Timberwolves/status/826262190470680578

And their worst losses over that stretch were to the Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks, both of which have been playing noticeably better of late as well.

So while it might seem crazy, the Timberwolves could very well be able to surge up the standings and catch up to one of the two nearest teams in the division.

Nevertheless, in this instance I’m going to avoid the temptation of predicting the unlikely. The Timberwolves have had their share of growing pains this season with their incredibly young roster, and while there could still be more positive moments, I don’t expect them to fully be able to overcome their inexperience and issues that have nagged them all season.

Therefore, while it’s encouraging to see a fun team such as Minnesota start to show some life, I don’t believe it will be enough to propel them out of the Northwest Division cellar.

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