Minnesota Timberwolves schedule Review

The Minnesota Timberwolves schedule was released on Tuesday. Here’s what to expect.

With all the moves made since the draft, Minnesota Timberwolves fans have been thinking about the team’s win total. Wondering who we play and how tough our road to the playoffs is going to be. Aug. 14 was the day the schedule released and it had Wolves’  fans excited.

We have known for a little while that the Timberwolves will be starting the season off in San Antonio on ESPN. Starting the season on the road is not new to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but they will have to come out of the River Walk with a W if they want to get to .500 opening the season in the last four years.

The team plays it’s first home game against…wait for it…Ricky Rubio and the Utah Jazz. The fan favorite that was sent packing for a future first round pick will be looking for some revenge. I have no doubt fans will be excited to see not only their team, but Rubio as well. Target Center will be very, very loud Oct. 20.

Something this squad is gonna have to get used to is playing on national TV. With the addition of Jimmy Butler, expectations change and fans around the globe want to see this team compete. They will be in the bright lights for sure, playing the most nationally televised games in the team’s history.

Taking a look at the actual teams on the schedule, there are three stretches that could give Thibs’ bunch some fits.

A four game stretch from Jan. 5 through Jan. 10 could prove a very tough challenge. They start off against Isaiah Thomas, Gordon Hayward and coach Brad Stevens in the TD Garden. The day after that, the Wolves come home to the newly renovated Target Center and take on, arguably, the best big man duo in the league in Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. After a much-needed day off, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving(?) come to town. To round out the rough four games, the reigning MVP Russell Westbrook brings his new teammate Paul George into town.

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To start February, Minnesota could be tested as well. Starting off the month, Giannis Antetokounmpo brings the deer across the border. After that, a rematch with the Davis and Cousins from New Orleans. To end the three game battle, Karl-Anthony Towns and Butler take the squad into James’ palace in Cleveland.

Not only does February start tough, the beginning of March is no cake walk either. We start off by taking on the talented backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. After a game against Rubio and the Utah Jazz (That still feels weird to say), Minnesota challenges Boston again, but at home this time. The home stand continues against Kevin Durant and the splash brothers. Games at Washington and San Antonio followed by a clash with Chris Paul and the new look Houston Rockets at home round out the toughest stretch of our schedule.

After looking at those spots in our schedule, I am not saying we are walking on easy street the rest of the way. Every Western Conference opponent they play will be tough considering it felt like every star took their talents to our side of the NBA.

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This is going to be a fun year to be a Timberwolves fan. Watching your squad battle with teams it could meet in the playoffs is something we haven’t done in over a decade. Whether the stretches are easy or very tough, this team is going to fight. Enjoy it Minnesota, soak in every game.