A fast start is a must for the Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves face a few playoff contenders to tip-off their NBA season, making it crucial they pick up some immediate wins.
Tipping-off the new season with a few victories can set the Minnesota Timberwolves up for success for the rest of year. It’s for that reason why most coaches stress the importance of a fast start.
Minnesota, especially, wants to avoid a repeat of last season which saw them lose five of their first six games. With some experts predicting the Timberwolves as a wildcard to make the playoffs, this awful beginning took the winds out of their sail before they could get going.
After opening 1-5, even Tom Thibodeau’s yelling couldn’t help the team turn it around, as they continued down the losing path. They walked into the 15th game of the season with a 4-10 record, held a 6-18 mark after their Dec. 11 loss to the Golden State Warriors and were 11-26 on Jan. 7 after losing their fourth straight game.
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They went on to make a bit of a run, coming within 10 games of .500 a couple of times in early March, but were never able to climb out of the early-season hole they dug.
With the Timberwolves possessing surefire playoff hopes this season, it’s imperative they start quickly out of the gates.
Minnesota tips-off the season on the road against the San Antonio Spurs before facing the Utah Jazz at home and traveling to face the Oklahoma City Thunder. That’s three potential playoff teams in a row that will give the Timberwolves a way too early measuring stick. An 0-3 hole would be far from the end of the world, but an unpleasant start nonetheless.
Without Kawhi Leonard, the game against the Spurs suddenly seems very winnable (not that it wasn’t before). A home bout versus the Jazz should bring excitement the Target Center hasn’t experienced in nearly a decade and a half. And the game on the road against the new-look Thunder will be, perhaps, the biggest test they face until they travel to Oakland to face the Warriors on Nov. 8.
Even in between those bouts, seemingly every game in the Western Conference appears to be a heavy-weight fight that will result in a hard-fought “W” for the victor.
Next: Minnesota Timberwolves: Highest hopes and biggest fears for 2017-18
As the Timberwolves feel each other out and learn how to play together, getting ahead of the curve is a vital factor to their season-long success.