Timberwolves next opponent gave team control of own destiny

If the Minnesota Timberwolves win their final two games:

The Minnesota Timberwolves will finish with a record of 42-40. Not only that, but it ensures that the Timberwolves will end the 2022-23 NBA season no worse than the NBA Western Conference eighth-seeded team. From that point, it will all come down to how well the Los Angeles Lakers play in their final two games.

In this scenario, the Lakers (41-39) would need to win their final two games to secure the seventh seed. Their final two games fall to hosting the Phoenix Suns (45-35) and the Utah Jazz (36-44) to close out their season. If the Lakers win both, then they will earn the seventh seed in the NBA Western Conference.

Lakers loss could be Timberwolves’ gain

If they lose one of their final two games, that opens the door for the Minnesota Timberwolves to sneak into the seventh seed by winning out. And while I have no reason to put my finger on it, the Timberwolves’ sensational victory on the road against the competitive Brooklyn Nets (44-36) has me feeling a bit more optimistic than I care to be about the Timberwolves right now.

Of course, the Timberwolves cannot avoid the NBA Play-In Tournament now. But that is where things began in the NBA Playoffs for the Timberwolves last season, and it was the momentum of the Timberwolves defeating the LA Clippers a year ago that helped the team pull the Memphis Grizzlies to a draw before collapsing in the final two games to lost 4-2.

I like the Timberwolves’ chances this year. Barring another freak injury, the Timberwolves’ current roster has been constructed for the physicality and intense post-season style of basketball. For now, the Timberwolves must find a way to get past the San Antonio Spurs and the New Orleans Pelicans.

After that, magic happens. Let’s hope the Minnesota Timberwolves end this season strong.