3. Minnesota Timberwolves
Utah vs Minnesota: 1-2 (One game remaining)
Minnesota spent much of the regular season in the West’s top four. However, after an injury to star two-way player, Jimmy Butler, the Timberwolves find themselves just a game and a half away from missing out on the postseason entirely.
Most recently, the T-Wolves lost in embarrassing fashion to the Memphis Grizzlies at home.
While a Timberwolves matchup is looking increasingly unlikely, Utah would be fortunate to find themselves playing Rubio’s former squad to open the postseason.
Even with Jimmy Butler eyeing a return, Minnesota would need time to re-adjust to having Butler in the lineup.
While I am one of the few people still left in the Tom Thibodeau fan club, I would take Quin Snyder any day to coach his team to a hard-fought, seven-game series win over the T-Wolves.
Prediction: Jazz win 4-3