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5 keys for the Timberwolves to clinch a top-3 playoff seed

By Adam Ziobrowski

SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Andrew Wiggins #22 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 27, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Andrew Wiggins #22 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 27, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS , MN – JULY 19: Jamal Crawford of the Minnesota Timberwolves speaks to the press regarding signing to the Minnesota Timberwolves at The Courts at Mayo Clinic Square on July 19, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS , MN – JULY 19: Jamal Crawford of the Minnesota Timberwolves speaks to the press regarding signing to the Minnesota Timberwolves at The Courts at Mayo Clinic Square on July 19, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3-point shooting improves 

The final key to the Wolves earning a two or three seed in the West is for them to improve their 3-point shooting. Last season, Minnesota finished 20th in the league in terms of percentage, shooting .349 from behind the arc.

Jamal Crawford comes in as part of the solution. The three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year brings with him a career .350 3-point percentage. Last season, he shot 36 percent from three, which would have put him fifth on the Timberwolves in terms of percentage.

With his arrival comes hopes that fellow newbies Jimmy Butler and Jeff Teague will be able to shoot a decent percentage from three to help the cause. While Butler is just a 33.7 percent career shooter from deep, he hit on 36.7 percent last season and 37.8 percent two seasons ago with a rough year of 31.2 percent in between. Teague shot 35.7 percent last year in Indiana, and outside of an outlier in 2015-16 when he shot 40 percent from beyond the arc, he’s been fairly consistent with a career mark of 35.5 percent.

Tyus Jones should also see more playing time this year, and there has been some indication in limited playing time that he can shoot fairly well from 3-point range.. Karl-Anthony Towns is always a threat from three when he pulls the trigger, too.

Nemanja Bjelica is a factor as well. The stretch-four has seen solid playing time over his first couple of seasons with the Wolves. If he can improve his .316 three-point percentage from last year, the Wolves will be in even better shape.

Certainly, defense is the most vital improvement the Wolves need to make. However, to keep up with teams like the Warriors, Rockets, Thunder and Spurs, the Wolves will need to be able to shoot the lights out at times.

Next: Wolves Film Festival: Butler-Towns Pick-and-Roll

Neither the two-seed nor three-seed are out of the question for the Wolves. It’s a matter of if they can work at getting to that level in time by season’s end. Which, with this mix of players, can absolutely be done.

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