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Wolves Power Rankings: Stars shine through hard schedule

By Jake Paynting

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 8: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 8, 2018 at Target Center 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 8: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 8, 2018 at Target Center 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 01: Larry Nance Jr. #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends against Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on January 1, 2018 at the Target Center 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 01: Larry Nance Jr. #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends against Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on January 1, 2018 at the Target Center 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

8. Nemanja Bjelica (9)

Season stats: 14.2 MPG – 5.6 PPG – 2.5 RPG – 0.6 APG – 50.9% FG – 42.6% 3PT – 81.3% FT

Weekly stats: 13.1 MPG – 2.8 PPG – 1.3 RPG – 41.7% FG – 20% 3PT

A move up the power rankings ladder this week for Nemanja Bjelica comes mainly from the play of his teammates below, rather than stellar play from the Serbian big man.

The first trio of games was pretty gruesome for Bjelica, posting just 5 points and 2 rebounds on a ghastly 1 of 6 shooting in a combined 35 minutes. Bjelly was struggling to get off and hit his shot that had made him such a valuable commodity throughout the early stages of the season.

With his confidence and value decreasing by the game, the Timberwolves needed a better showing from the 6-foot-10 combo forward to end the week.

It wasn’t a jaw-dropping showing, but Bjelica earned some credence in the extra minutes he received due to the blowout.

He also finished this crowd-wowing highlight from Jamal Crawford.

Bjelly dropped some jelly on the Cavs, dropping 7 points on 3-6 shooting and grabbing 2 rebounds to help the Timberwolves in one of the franchise’s most convincing wins. Possibly the most encouraging thing about Bjelica’s game was the fact he nailed a 3-pointer (his only of the week), a range that he has been completely void of since returning from his mid-foot sprain.

If the former Euroleague MVP can regain the shooting stroke that saw him lead the league in 3-point percentage prior to the injury, he will be a major key to the Wolves bench being competitive with the best.

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