A look into the future: Playoffs?

Dare By: Jonah Sprinkel

With the Timberwolves currently on their hottest streak this season, 6-3 in their last nine games, fans everywhere have begun to discuss the possibility of grabbing the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Realistically, this is just an invitation to get walloped by the Golden State Warriors. However, any form of playoff experience is invaluable to such a young team.

With a record of 17-29, the Timberwolves are 3.5 games back of that final playoff spot. Four teams stand between them and the playoffs. Dan laid out the schedule for the respective teams' next ten games and made a few predictions yesterday on the Slack group message. With that, let's take a look at each of these teams, where they've been and where they're headed. 

Denver Nuggets #8

The Nuggets are the current holders of the eighth seed with a record of 19-25. Though the team is 5-5 in their last 10 games this number is slightly misleading. After dropping five straight to Philadelphia, Golden State, Sacramento, San Antonio and Oklahoma City the Nuggets have rebounded and won five of their last seven. This has included a 20 point win against a depleted Clippers team and a 10 point win over Utah.

The key for Denver recently has been the second year Serbian, Nikola Jokic. Over the last seven games Jokic's per game averages are incredibly impressive; 25.1 points, 11 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.4 blocks while shooting 60.7 percent from the field. "Big Honey" has looked every part a franchise player. If the Nuggets finish out the year as the eighth seed, he will be a big reason why.

Next 10 games:

-Phoenix
-LAL
-Memphis
-Milwaukee
-San Antonio
-Dallas
-Atlanta
-New York
-Cleveland 
-Golden State

Dan's prediction: 4-6

Portland Trailblazers #9

The Blazers are an interesting team. After locking themselves in for over 350 million dollars worth of contracts over the next few years they've found themselves in the middle of the pack. Like the Nuggets, they are 5-5 over their last 10 games. That's about as far as the similarities go.

The first two of five wins came against the Lakers, convincingly. Sandwiched in between those wins was a loss to Detroit. Directly after the second Laker win was dominant victory against Cleveland. The Blazers then lost four straight to Orlando, Washington, Charlotte and Philadelphia before regaining their footing with wins against Boston and the once again, the Lakers.

With arguably the second best back court in the West, the Blazers will compete with anyone. Until further notice, the defense will continue to be their Achilles heel; they currently rank 27th in defensive rating.

Next 10 games:

-Memphis
-Golden State
-Charlotte
-Dallas
-OKC
-Dallas
-Boston
-Atlanta
-Utah 
-Orlando

Dan's prediction: 3-7

Sacramento Kings #10

The Kings sit one game ahead of the Timberwolves in the standings with a record of 18-27. Sacramento has, and will probably always be, home to drama. Boogie Cousins continues to lose his mind on the court while his partner in crime, Rudy Gay, is done for the year with a ruptured left Achilles.

Recently the Kings have hit a skid, going 3-7 in their last 10 games. This included a five game losing streak to Cleveland, Oklahoma City, Indiana, Memphis and Chicago. The bright spot in all of this is their two most recent games, wins at Detroit and at Cleveland in overtime.

The Kings remain the same. As it has seemingly been for the last 3 years, it's all up to Cousins. The weight of the franchise and the fans hope for a playoff appearance rests directly on the Kentucky product's shoulders. And the big man has risen to the occasion. Through 44 games this year, Boogie has averaged 28 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from 3. He also leads the league with 14 technical fouls.

Next 10 games:

-Indiana
-Charlotte
-Philly
-Houston
-Phoenix
-Golden State
-Chicago
-Boston
-Atlanta
-New Orleans

Dan's prediction: 3-7

New Orleans Pelicans #11

With a half game lead on the Timberwolves the Pelicans are vulnerable. Though Anthony Davis has only missed four games this year he continues to leave games early with nicks and bruises. This doesn't bode well for the Pelicans but it certainly helps the Timberwolves playoff chances.

Through the last 10 games the Pelicans are 4-6. There's nothing here to convince many that their have a true shot at the playoffs. Their four wins have come against, New York, Brooklyn, Orlando and Cleveland. Their six losses have come at the hands of Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Indiana, Brooklyn and Oklahoma City. The win against Cleveland is what gives New Orleans hope, Anthony Davis did not play that game and Terrence Jones scored 36. Though Cleveland has struggled of late.

Davis, like Cousins, is carrying this franchise. Through 40 games the former Wildcat is averaging 28.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.4 blocks, on 49.9 percent shooting. We're looking at two players here who are doing just as much for their franchises now as Kevin Garnett did for the Timberwolves over 10 years ago.

Next 10 games:

-San Antonio
-Washington
-Toronto
-Detroit
-Washington
-Phoenix
-Utah
-Minnesota
-Sacramento
-Phoenix

Dan's prediction: 4-6

Minnesota Timberwolves #12

Dare I say it? The Timberwolves are learning to win basketball games. Though the team can't seem to grab that elusive four game winning streak they have strung together two separate three game winning streaks. This first included wins against Dallas, Houston and Oklahoma City with the second streak being made up of wins versus the Clippers, Denver and Phoenix. 

While the box score will show a loss to Indiana last night there is reason for hope in that game. Despite Paul George's 32 points and the referees inability to see Jeff Teague step out of bounds the Wolves fought the whole way. The hit big three after big three. It simply wasn't their night. But the late game fight that Wolves fans have rarely seen finally appeared in strong fashion.

In the case of the Timberwolves, their playoff chances rest on the shoulder of their own "Big 3." Though Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine have seemed redundant at times they have begun to play off of each other. This trend will hopefully continue to improve as Zach steadily regains his footing.

At the moment however, the piece driving the Timberwolves engine is of course, the one and only, Karl-Anthony Towns. Who, since the first three game winning streak is averaging 27.9 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks while dropping in 62.7 percent of his shots, including a ridiculous 45.5 percent from downtown.

-Brooklyn
-Orlando
-Cleveland
-Detroit
-Memphis
-Miami
-Toronto
-New Orleans
-Chicago
-Cleveland

Dan's prediction: 5-5

If, at the end of these 10 games, Dan's predictions hold true, the standings will look like this:

8) Denver 24-31
9) Portland 23-34
10) Minnesota 22-34
11) New Orleans 22-34
12) Sacramento 21-34

Simply due to how close the standings are it's going to be difficult for the Wolves to gain any sort of separation. It's going to take a true seven or eight game win streak as well as losses from three or even all four of these other teams. That just doesn't seem realistic at this point.

Barring some unforeseen event, the Timberwolves will be battling for the remainder of the season for a chance to appear in the NBA playoffs. Although they may lose out on a top five draft pick because of that, the experience they will gain by playing meaningful basketball in March and April is of equal importance in my book.