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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 6: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts during game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 6, 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 6: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts during game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 6, 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) /

7. Gorgui Dieng (8)

Season stats: 18.2 MPG – 6.6 PPG – 4.9 RPG – 0.3 BPG – 49% FG- 30.6% 3PT – 76.9% FT

Weekly stats: 20.4 MPG – 8.5 PPG – 5.0 RPG – 0.5 BPG – 52% FG – 50% 3PT – 75% FT

The G-Train was loaded up with coal and rolling through all stations this week.

Gorgui Dieng has had an inconsistent season so far, but he certainly showed what he can potentially bring to the Timberwolves bench during this power rankings week, leading to a rise to the seventh position.

The Senegalese giant hit double-digit scoring figures in the last two games of the week, adding a dynamic wrinkle to the Timberwolves frontcourt when he is firing efficiently from the mid-range area and cleaning up misses for offensive putbacks.

Dieng scored just 9 points over the initial two losses of the week, with his single point, -16 Plus/Minus performance over a rampant Boston team being the lowlight of the 6-foot-11 center’s week.

He bounced back with a great game against the Twin Towers of New Orleans, scoring 14 points – including 2-2 from behind the 3-point line – grabbing 3 rebounds and blocking a shot in the blowout win.

This kind of performance against the league’s best big man combination isn’t a new thing for Gorgui Dieng, he posted 19 and 12 points respectively in the Timberwolves previous two meetings with the Pels.

He spoke to Fox Sports North’s Marney Gellner post-game about his mentality for these games.

"“I know they’re great basketball players … I’ll be ready or they’re going to make you look terrible” he said."

Dieng has made damn sure they haven’t made him look terrible.

The big man was great again in the Cavs crushing, scoring 11 points and pulling down 8 important rebounds amongst great board-grabbers like Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. Dieng’s 4 of 10 shooting in the game wasn’t ideal, but his overall energy more than made up for it.

A very encouraging week for Gorgui Dieng and Minnesota Timberwolves fans, if he can keep up this kind of play he may start getting 20+ minutes per game like this power rankings week more often.

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