After a regular season full of ups and downs, twists and turns, load management issues and team sitting half their roster for seemingly no reason, we’ve reached the postseason in the NBA. The eighth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves are on the road as they take on the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first Western Conference play-in game Tuesday night. In this one, the winner locks in the seventh seed while the loser gets one more crack at playoff life as they’ll face the winner of the 9/10 game to earn the eight seed. Minnesota closed the regular season with a 113-108 home win over New Orleans Sunday afternoon, covering the line as a 3.5-point favorite. Los Angeles knocked off Utah 128-117 at home Sunday afternoon in their regular season finale, failing to cover as a 17-point favorite. The Timberwolves took two of three meetings this season though it was the Lakers winnin g 123-111 on the road in the most recent matchup on March 31.
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Minnesota won three straight and seven of their last 10 to close the season and their win over the Pelicans pushed them to the eighth spot in the West, giving them two potential chances to earn a playoff spot. The Timberwolves closed the regular season 42-40 and finished second in the Northwest Division, 11 games behind the Nuggets. Against New Orleans, Minnesota trailed by 12 after the opening quarter, by eight at the half and by as many as 14 early in the third quarter before rallying. The Timberwolves were down one with 4:21 to play before closing the game on a 12-6 run to earn the win. Minnesota shot 47.6% from the field, including 13 of 36 from three-point range, and overcame 17 turnovers in the win. Karl-Anthony Towns had 30 points plus eight rebounds to lead the way in the victory.
For the year, Minnesota is 13th in the league in scoring offense with 115.8 points per game. The Timb erwolves stand 23rd in rebounding by pulling down 41.9 boards a contest while they are 8th in assists by handing out 26.2 dimes a contest. Minnesota has been below average on the defensive end of the floor as they are 18th in scoring defense by allowing 115.8 points per game. Anthony Edwards leads the team in scoring as he averages 24.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists per contest. Karl-Anthony Towns (20.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists), Mike Conley (11.9 points, 6.7 assists), Rudy Gobert (13.4 points, 11.6 rebounds), Jaylen Nowell (10.8 points) and Jaden McDaniels (12.1 points) are decent secondary options on the offensive end of the floor. Taurean Prince, Naz Reid, Nickeil Alexander Walker, Kyle Anderson, Austin Rivers and Jordan McLaughlin are part of the rotation. The Timberwolves are 3rd in the league in field goal percentage as they hit 49% from the floor as a team. Minnesota is 14th by splashing 12.2 three-pointer s a night while the team is 13th in three-point shooting by hitting 36.5% from beyond the arc.
The Timberwolves are dealing with some roster issues heading into this game. Reid (wrist) was injured on March 29 against the Suns and underwent surgery that will keep him out until likely mid-May. Nowell (knee) missed the last six games and last played against the Kings on March 27. McDaniels (hand) was injured when he reportedly punched a wall during the game against the Pelicans Sunday. Gobert was suspended one game by the team and was sent home after throwing a punch at teammate Kyle Anderson during the game against New Orleans Sunday. He will not be with the team here.