With 10 games left in the regular season, the Wolves still have a fighting chance at the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference – and now is the time to make a jump in the standings.
Entering play Friday, the Wolves (41-31) are in seventh place, but just 1.5 games behind fourth-place New Orleans (43-30). Oklahoma City (43-30) and San Antonio (42-30) are in fifth and sixth, respectively.
“One game can decide whether we’re in or out. It’s crazy, the whole West is tight,” Andrew Wiggins said Thursday, via Timberwolves.com. “Every game is a desperate game for us.”
Fortunately, the schedule is tilting in Minnesota’s favor.
Next 5 games:
- MN: @ Knicks, @ 76ers, vs. Grizzlies, vs. Hawks, @ Mavericks
- OKC: vs. Heat, vs. Blazers, @ Spurs, vs. Nuggets, @ Pelicans
- NO: @ Rockets, vs. Blazers, @ Cavs, vs. Thunder, vs. Grizzlies
- SAS: vs. Jazz, @ Bucks, @ Wizards, vs. Thunder, vs. Rockets
It’ll be a massive letdown if the Wolves don’t go 4-1 or better in the next five games. The only acceptable loss would be in Philly on Saturday after playing in New York Friday night.
Meanwhile, the Thunder face four playoff teams in their next five and a Denver team that’s already beaten them twice this season. New Orleans’ next four are insanely difficult, and the Spurs don’t have it easy.
