Next 5 Games will Tell the Tale

[Lipoli390]

If the Wolves are serious about making the playoffs this season, then they need to win their next five:

@Chicago
Pelicans
Grizzlies
@Hawks
Lakers.

Other than the Lakers, there are no easy ones in this bunch. But these are all very winnable games and with their backs up against the wall, I expect the Wolves to win these next five if they really have what it takes to be a Western Conference playoff team this season. Time will tell.

[AbeVigodaLive]

2 - 3.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

2 - 3.

Abe, Abe, Abe...2-3 when we're going to be favored in all five games (well, maybe we won't be favored in the Atlanta game)???? Way too negative, brother! :)

Your take is right on, Lipoli...this is a vitally key five games. They are all there for the taking, but this club just hasn't shown the consistency to go on a run. I actually see two easy games coming up, because the Pelicans are almost as pathetic as the Lakers...some promising parts, but just not a good team. But the other three games are going to show us whether the close game win at GS was just a mirage, because I think they are all going to go right down to the wire. If we don't go at least 4-1 in five games in which we may be favored, I'm afraid I may turn my focus to pitchers and catchers reporting.

I love the resurgence of Martin and Rubio...really solidifies the first unit. And Shved of course has shown some signs of moving out of his season-long doldrums. But JJ, Bud and Dante are really dragging down the second unit. You guys know that I just don't see Bud at all ready to be getting the 20 minutes a game he's getting...hurting us both offensively and defensively. I hope Rick is seeing something different in practice, and Bud can get that FG% over 30%. A PER of 1.5 just isn't going to cut it (although it is .1 better than Shabazz!)

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Yep, gotta go 4-1, because Feb schedule is pretty brutal. If we can stay 3 or 4 games above .500 throughout Feb, then I say we have a fighter's chance to make the playoffs. March is a little easier.

[Coolbreeze44]

Tonight is really the key. If they can get the W against Chicago, I see at least 4-1 with the Atlanta game being the potential loss. I took the Wolves -3.5 tonight, so I happen to think these 5 games are going to turn out okay.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Minnesota tonight by 10 or more. I'll go there.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I personally think our window of opportunity closed when we went 7-6 during the easy 13 game stretch that ended a few nights ago. We had to go 10-3 during that stretch to really get ourselves in the playoff hunt, because as Lloyd mentions above, February is pretty brutal. We need at least three or four more wins equivalent to the Golden State road win AND we need to win all the other games we are supposed to win. I don't see it happening because the Western Conference is just too damn good.

All of that being said, I'm thinking that when the dust settles after this season, assuming we don't go through some epic collapse, most fans and players will look back and feel like we fielded a very strong, competitive squad this season that does NOT need to be torn down and re-built. And most importantly, a vote of confidence from Kevin Love would help enormously. Yes, the bench needs to be upgraded, but we have a very solid core in place that should be kept in tact.