Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are yet another interesting case. They had surged all the way to third in the West, but upon losing Jimmy Butler they started to slide significantly. They’ve bounced back since then, even posting a big-time win over the Golden State Warriors, but are still just 5-5 in their last ten.
Those results have found them in fifth place with just a half-game lead over the Jazz. The Timberwolves are still a legitimate threat in the West, but honestly, without Jimmy Butler their defense isn’t nearly as formidable and I view them as significantly less intimidating. Minnesota currently holds a 2-1 lead over the Jazz, so the final contest between the two on April 1 will be a critical battle.
If Utah wins that one, I’ll feel a lot better about a potential first-round matchup against the T-Wolves, but for now it makes me a little bit nervous with or without Butler. If he returns, that nervousness will likely cause a shift to feeling less than optimistic.
Karl-Anthony Towns has given Utah problems with his ability to stretch the floor as well as attack the rim. He’s less than daunting on defense, but still is a tough player to match up against. Jeff Teague was also solid in these two teams’ last meeting, so I think a first-round series against the Wolves would be a major challenge.
Then again, their bench is weak as head coach Tom Thibodeau tends to over-rely on his starters and this could give Utah a significant edge. If Butler remains out, that will require young, inexperienced players such as Towns and Andrew Wiggins to carry a significant load that I don’t know if they’re ready for, especially considering the discipline problems they’ve struggled with in the past.
The last contest between the Jazz and Wolves got pretty chippy, so expect the game on the 1st to have a playoff feel and if these two did face off in the playoffs, it would likely be a heck of a series, but it’s also one that makes me quite nervous. I’d obviously take a matchup against the Wolves over the likes of Golden State, Houston and perhaps the Spurs with a healthy Kawhi, but they certainly worry me more than some other teams on the list.
This is a matchup that I could very well see happening depending on how these two teams close out the year and is certainly one of the more realistic possibilities. If Butler doesn’t play, I think Utah finds a way to come out on top. If he’s able to return, I think the Wolves would have the edge, albeit by the narrowest of margins. Nevertheless, if Utah wins big in the final regular season contest, it could very well make me change my mind.