Minnesota Timberwolves schedule lookahead: Predicting the next 10 games

With the Dallas Mavericks’ loss on Sunday afternoon, the Minnesota Timberwolves have moved up to sixth place in the Western Conference with 16 games remaining on the regular season slate. After winning their last three games in a row, the Wolves have moved out of the dreaded play-in tournament range, at least for now.

Minnesota is showing just how quickly they can improve their postseason positioning with how close things are out West. Sitting just a half game back of the Warriors for the fifth seed, the Timberwolves are playing some of their best basketball of the entire season at the perfect time.

While it is a near impossibility given that Minnesota would have to win every remaining game on their schedule, the fact that this team can still win 50 games this season after all they have gone through speaks to the hard work and determination of all the players and coaches. Being in this position after losing Karl-Anthony Towns back on November 28 is nothing short of remarkable.

In their 16 games left, the Timberwolves will play eight straight Eastern Conference foes before facing other West opponents in seven of their final eight contests. Here is how we see the next 10 games playing out for Minnesota.

Tuesday, March 7 vs Philadelphia 76ers: WIN

The Timberwolves won the first of the matchups between these two teams in Philadelphia in November, thanks to 25 points from Anthony Edwards. This time around, Minnesota will not have Karl-Anthony Towns to deal with the likes of Joel Embiid. With the Sixers on a hot streak after halting the Bucks’ run of 16 wins in a row, this game will present a significant challenge. But Philly will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back, and that could be enough to give Minnesota the edge.

Friday, March 10 vs Brooklyn Nets: LOSS

Brooklyn and Atlanta remain the only two teams the Timberwolves have not yet faced this season. When the Nets travel to Minneapolis on Friday, they will present a different challenge than the one we imagined at the beginning of the season with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving out of the picture. But they remain a dangerous team, and this is the kind of contest we have seen the Wolves routinely drop this season.

Monday, March 13 at Atlanta Hawks: WIN

The Timberwolves’ trip to Atlanta will be the homecoming for Anthony Edwards, and we can expect him to show out in a big way in front of his friends and family. The Hawks have largely been disappointing this season, with the Dejounte Murray/Trae Young pairing not yet living up to the hype. Even with new Head Coach Quin Snyder at the helm, this is a game Minnesota should win.

Wednesday, March 15 vs Boston Celtics: WIN

Minnesota lost the first matchup of these teams in Boston just before Christmas, 121-109. Back on their home turf in round two, this is the type of game we can expect the Timberwolves to be prepared for. The Wolves have the second best record in the Western Conference since January 1 behind only Denver, and they know they can win these types of big matchups. Not to mention, the Celtics have currently lost three of their last four games, and could be more beatable down the stretch than they were earlier in the season.

Friday, March 17 at Chicago Bulls: WIN

Next, Minnesota will begin their first of three straight Eastern Conference road games in Chicago. The Bulls are bound for the lottery, which should make Timberwolves fans nervous. This team has struggled when playing bottom-feeding squads all season. However, the Wolves crushed the Bulls in their first meeting, putting up a ridiculous 150 points on them at Target Center. Expect Minnesota to complete the season sweep here.

Saturday, March 18 at Toronto Raptors: LOSS

The Toronto Raptors surprised everyone by not being sellers at the trade deadline, keeping the likes of OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. around. Instead of trying to bottom out, they acquired their old friend Jakob Poeltl from the Spurs and have remained in the play-in hunt since, going 6-3 since the deadline. Playing on the second night of a back-to-back, the Timberwolves may be a bit fatigued in this one, and the Raptors will want revenge after their close loss in Minnesota in January.

Monday, March 20 at New York Knicks: LOSS

The Knicks have been hot in recent weeks, and Jalen Brunson is looking like one of the premier players in the Eastern Conference this season. He and Anthony Edwards will be fun to watch go toe to toe. In the end, this will be a challenging matchup for the Timberwolves, and New York likely takes home the season sweep.

Wednesday, March 22 vs Atlanta Hawks: WIN

The Timberwolves will play the Hawks for the second time in 10 days, and it may very well be second verse, same as the first for these two. The Hawks will be desperate for a win as they try to avoid falling out of the play-in in the East, but they will simply be outmatched from a talent standpoint. Minnesota takes home the victory in a game they may have lost had it taken place in November.

Sunday, March 26 at Golden State Warriors: LOSS

This may be the single most important matchup the Timberwolves have in their next 10 games. With the Warriors sitting one spot ahead of them in the standings, they desperately need to knock off Golden State to have a chance of jumping them. With that said, Steph Curry has returned to the Warriors’ lineup, and his presence alone could easily change the outcome of this game. Minnesota likely comes up just short in this one.

Monday, March 27 at Sacramento Kings: WIN

Anthony Edwards has publicly stated that his favorite road venue to play in is Sacramento, so do not be surprised to see him put up 30 yet again. The Kings have been excellent this season and their offense is lethal, so this will likely be another high-scoring affair. Look for the Timberwolves to take home the victory here on the backs of their savvy veterans.