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Timberwolves Power Rankings: Butler blow soils solid stretch

By Jake Paynting

(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 24: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is seen before the game against the Chicago Bulls on February 24, 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 24: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is seen before the game against the Chicago Bulls on February 24, 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) /

8. Gorgui Dieng (9)

Season stats: 17.6 MPG – 6.3 PPG – 4.6 RPG – 0.5 BPG – 48.7% FG – 27.7% 3PT – 77.3% FT

Weekly stats: 18.4 MPG – 4.5 PPG – 6.0 RPG – 0.8 BPG – 38.9% FG – 100% FT

After looking like he might be turning his 2017-18 campaign around in late January-early February Gorgui Dieng has slipped back into his inconsistent funk that has plagued him throughout the season.

When the mid-range jumper isn’t falling for the Senegalese giant, his offensive game seems to disappear leaving fans wondering what happened to his budding post game and ability to clean the glass for easy putbacks.

G-Train began with an inconspicuous 6-point, 5-rebound contribution in the victory over the Lakers, putting up seven shots and connecting with on three of them in his 16 minutes of playing time.

He backed that up with a shotless, scoreless performance in the disastrous loss against Houston, grabbing just 4 rebounds to round out a pretty ugly box score for the 7-footer. Dieng once again struggled to get in going in Zach LaVine’s return to Target Center, hitting just 1-4 for his 2 points, he did grab 9 rebounds however which is his highest mark since the 20th of December.

After a pretty forgettable power rankings week, the big man finished it off with his best output over the four-game stretch. He put up 10 points (3-7 FG, 4-4 FT) and 6 rebounds in 21 minutes in a win over the Kings, proving the kind of impact he can provide off the bench when he does have his energy at the required levels.

If Gorgui Dieng can provide the type of statistics and influence he did in the Sacramento victory it will go a long way to Minnesota hanging on their playoff hopes.

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