Timberwolves Power Rankings: Winning record in sight

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 18: Gorgui Dieng #5 and Derrick Rose #25 of the Minnesota Timberwolves arrive before the game against the Houston Rockets on March 18, 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) /

9. Gorgui Dieng (8)

Season stats: 17.2 MPG – 5.9 PPG – 4.5 RPG – 0.5 BPG – 47.2% FG – 26.5% 3PT – 76.8% FT

Weekly stats: 12.2 MPG – 2.3 PPG – 4.0 RPG – 0.3 BPG – 33.3% FG – 50% FT

As we close in on the final ten games of the season, it’s time to write this Gorgui Dieng season off as a bad one. Although, Dieng can still help restore some of the fan faith by excelling in this playoff push.

Unfortunately, that looks unlikely at the moment.

Dieng, like most of the Wolves roster, has been underwhelming on the defensive end this season. It’s his offense falling off a steep cliff that has been surprising. The G-Train has ground to a halt lately, hitting a woeful 31.6 percent of his shot attempts in the last 10 games.

This power rankings week was no different. He started out with a an inconspicuous four points (2-4 FG) and two rebounds in the Spurs loss. Dieng featured in just 11 minutes, which has been a deserved theme of late.

The Senegalese giant backed that up with just three points (1-2 FG) and grabbed two rebounds against the Rockets. His impact was bigger than usual though, with a scuffle with Chris Paul and Gerald Green seemingly igniting a spark under a previously lackluster Timberwolves outfit.

Watch the full kerfuffle here:

He finished off the week with a stinker against the Clippers, despite the game being an enjoyable one overall for Minnesota. The big man failed to connect on any of his three field goal attempts despite his six rebounds and two assists being a reasonable output, the most telling statistic was the eight points the Timberwolves were outscored by with Dieng on the court – despite winning by 14 points.

Gorgui Dieng can certainly help Minnesota going forward, but he will need to pick up his game on both ends, quickly.

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