Top 3 first-round matchups for the Timberwolves

This season, the Minnesota Timberwolves have exceeded all regular season expectations. Sitting with 43 wins and 19 losses, they have an opportunity to have the best regular season in franchise history.

With that being said, the Western Conference has been a blood bath this season. No team the Wolves matchup with in the playoffs will be easy, but some of them prove to be better than others. To start: a former dynasty.

Golden State Warriors

If someone five years ago were to say that one day the Golden State Warriors would be an ideal matchup for the Timberwolves, no one would believe them. But here we are, Minnesota is first, while Golden State is 10th.

Over the years, the Wolves and Warriors have beefed extensively. This back-and-forth has been made up of players throwing shots at each other in the media and physicality on the court. However this year, it's been amplified after Draymond Green got into it with both Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards.

The Warriors have been the most recent dynasty in the league, but the reality is that Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond, while still great, are on the backend of their careers. The Warriors also have a severe lack of size in their frontcourt, which is something the Wolves have exposed so far in their matchups this season.

The big game experience many of the Warriors' players have, along with some of their up-and-coming talent would undoubtedly give the Wolves some problems. However, this season is different for the Wolves. They have the talent and experience this year to go toe to toe with anyone in the West. The Wolves' size and half-court defense would likely be too much for the Dubs to handle.