If Timberwolves Win, They’re In; but Where They Land is Still In Flux

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Dec 10, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jimmy Butler (23), center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) after a timeout in the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center. Photo By: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 10, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jimmy Butler (23), center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) after a timeout in the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center. Photo By: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Tuesday night’s Warriors vs. Jazz contest had zero implications on Golden State’s playoff seeding. In regards to Utah (and 6 other Western Conference teams), the game was far from meaningless.

With the disparity in importance noted:

40 piece, no biscuits.

Ricky Rubio’s squads’ blowout victory officially eliminated any possibility that Minnesota finishes in the West’s 5th spot.

Late Wednesday, when the NBA’s regular season comes to an end, the Timberwolves will be somewhere between the Western Conference’s 6th-9th (perverts) seed.

In the event Denver wins Wednesday’s, Target Center-based battle, Minnesota will be the odd team out. Considering the Wolves are only a three-point favorite, there’s a real possibility the whole playoff thing doesn’t happen. On top of that, Denver has won their last half-dozen games.

In the event Denver loses to the Wolves Wednesday, they’re the ones that will be written-off.

Simply put, win and you’re in:

Last week’s loss to the Nuggets was in Denver, but tonight’s game will be in Minneapolis. Hopefully, the crowd (and no out of body experience from Devin Harris) is enough to turn last game’s tide.

If (knock on wood) Minnesota wins, the playoff drought is officially put to sleep. As for whether they end as the 6th, 7th, or 8th seed, that depends on the results of the following two games: San Antonio at New Orleans and Memphis at Oklahoma City

Seeding If Minnesota Wins Wednesday:

6th Seed:
• SA beats NO and MEM beats OKC

7th Seed:
• SA beats NO and OKC beats MEM
• NO beats SA and MEM beats OKC

8th Seed:
• NO beats SA and OKC beats MEM

The potential of landing the 6th seed is a long shot. An OKC loss would kill the Thunder’s chance at the 4th spot. . Even if the Spurs win (SA is 3.5 point favorite), the idea that Russell Westbrook & Co. lose to Memphis is kind of:

Happy Gilmore — PYSCHO GIF — Happy Gilmore GIF

In an attempt to simplify this cluster (if that’s even possible); assuming OKC does in fact defeat Memphis; a Minnesota win means the 7th or 8th spot based on:

• Spurs Win vs Pelicans = 7th Seed for Wolves.
o GS is opening round opponent.
• Pelicans Win vs Spurs = 8th Seed for Wolves
o HOU is opening round opponent.

At the end of the (literal) day, if the Wolves can’t get it done, all of the “what-if” scenarios are for not.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets (7PM CST, FSN)

Let’s dance:

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
MinnesotaSportsFan.com

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