I'll admit it -- I thought a Minnesota Timberwolves-Denver Nuggets playoff matchup was set in stone. However, the Los Angeles Lakers picking up back-to-back wins against the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors changed the equation. Now entering game 82, the Lakers have to take care of business against the tanking Utah Jazz, while the Nuggets have to lose to the San Antonio Spurs to set up a Wolves-Lakers series. Sometimes it feels great to be wrong!
Are you dreaming of a first-round rematch yet, Wolves fans? Wait, there's more.
All of the Nuggets starters (besides Nikola Jokic) are out for Sunday's game. Now, Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Devin Vassell are all questionable on the Spurs side. Nevertheless, it would behoove the Spurs to win and avoid a second-round matchup with Denver, so it feels somewhat likely that they'll play. Currently, the Spurs are 11.5-point favorites while the Lakers are 14.5-point favorites.
It might have seemed like a pipe dream a few days ago, but now a first-round rematch with the Lakers feels more likely than not.
Timberwolves fans should be delighted by the possibility of a rematch with the Lakers
If the Wolves were to square off against the Nuggets, I wouldn't be so foolish as to completely write them off, especially as Denver is ill-equipped to stop Anthony Edwards.
Regardless, playing a Nikola Jokic-led team that would (likely) be riding a 12-game winning streak is infinitely harder than playing a banged-up Lakers team.
Without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers are clearly the weak link in the West. Even at full strength last year, we saw the Wolves send the Lakers packing in just five games. In addition to their injuries, the Wolves can expose LA's poor defense.
The Wolves would rightfully be underdogs against the Nuggets and sizable favorites against LA.
For the Wolves to make their third straight conference finals, the most likely pathway involves dismantling the Lakers in the first-round. Of course, presumably having to play the Spurs in the second-round would be challenging, but doing so after what should be a short series against the Lakers would be easier.
Amid all the frustration and erratic play from the Wolves throughout the season, they could enter the playoffs with some good vibes if a series with the Lakers becomes a reality. A Nuggets win and/or a Jazz upset could really throw a wrench in things for the Wolves.
Nevertheless, Timberwolves fans clearly have reason to be optimistic that their dream first-round matchup will turn into a reality.