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Timberwolves Power Rankings: The man is back in Towns

By Jake Paynting

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 13: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves receive their 2018 All-Star jerseys before the game against the Houston Rockets on February 13, 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 13: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves receive their 2018 All-Star jerseys before the game against the Houston Rockets on February 13, 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 11: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against the Sacramento Kings on February 11, 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 11: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against the Sacramento Kings on February 11, 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Taj Gibson (3)

Season stats: 33.5 MPG – 12.1 PPG – 7.3 RPG – 0.7 BPG – 57.2% FG – 22.6% 3PT – 77% FT

Weekly stats: 30.9 MPG – 12.3 PPG – 5.3 RPG – 0.3 BPG – 55.2% FG – 100% FT

Mr. Clean (or maybe it should be Mr. Consistent?) was just doing his thing as usual this power rankings week, despite looking at times like he is desperately needing the All-Star break rest.

Gibson scored in double figures in each of the three games, but his rebounding and defensive numbers have began to slip slightly. Not a good thing for a Minnesota team that needs all the help it can get on the defensive end of the floor.

The 32-year-old started with 10 points, five boards, a block and a steal in his return the United Center against the Bulls. His box score looks pretty solid, but Gibson was pretty much a non-factor on a night that we surely had circled on his calendar from the start of the season. He did score this big bucket late in the fourth quarter however:

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/962187939294928896

Gibson bounced back with a handy 15-point, six-rebound night in the win over Sacramento, before having 12 points and five rebounds in the loss to the Rockets. Amazingly however, the Wolves were actually two points better than Houston in the 33 minutes Mr. Clean was on the court, despite his team losing by 18 points.

At a ripe 32 years of age, the heavy minutes could be starting to weigh Taj Gibson down just a little bit, so a break will be just what the doctor ordered after the Timberwolves take on the Lakers on Thursday.

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