21 Games left

[FNG]

41-41, and a play-in win over New Orleans. My assumption is KAT only returns for the final 10 and we go 7-3 in those games. We have a chance at 43-39 and a 5th place finish if he returns for the final 15.

[Lipoli390]

41-41, and a play-in win over New Orleans. My assumption is KAT only returns for the final 10 and we go 7-3 in those games. We have a chance at 43-39 and a 5th place finish if he returns for the final 15.

FNG - Your optimism is inspiring! :)

[Leado01]

42-40 6th or 7th place.

I love that we have two remaining games that would have been losses against the reeling Nets!

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

42-40 6th or 7th place.

I love that we have two remaining games that would have been losses against the reeling Nets!

Even the new-look Nets are far from an easy matchup, in my opinion. They play their asses off and are very good defensively with a handful of guys that can score in bunches on any given night. The latter point makes them a bit unpredictable and perhaps more difficult to game plan for. Unfortunately, I could see this iteration of the Timberwolves losing both of those games, but hopefully not.

[FNG]

41-41, and a play-in win over New Orleans. My assumption is KAT only returns for the final 10 and we go 7-3 in those games. We have a chance at 43-39 and a 5th place finish if he returns for the final 15.

FNG - Your optimism is inspiring! :)

Ha, I am quite optimistic about this lineup...especially when KAT returns! Looking forward to going to the charlotte game tomorrow.

I will add that the current Vegas line has the Wolves at 41.5 wins, and an article in the Athletic today advises betting the over. So there are others who believe in this team also. That tough west coast swing is going to be a challenge though...stealing a game or two during that stretch could get us to 43 or 44 wins. Let's go!

[AbeVigodaLive]

42-40 6th or 7th place.

I love that we have two remaining games that would have been losses against the reeling Nets!

Even the new-look Nets are far from an easy matchup, in my opinion. They play their asses off and are very good defensively with a handful of guys that can score in bunches on any given night. The latter point makes them a bit unpredictable and perhaps more difficult to game plan for. Unfortunately, I could see this iteration of the Timberwolves losing both of those games, but hopefully not.

Yep. And those Nets are going to want to win games for playoff positioning.

[Sundog]

I appreciate and share FNG's enthusiasm -- otherwise what's the point? It's pretty amazing that the Wolves are still in the playoff hunt when the player we thought was the team's best player going into the season has missed most of the year. Ant and Jaden are young foundational pieces that have progressed remarkably in KATs absence, and they should be getting the big fella back soon. It's going to be a fun 21 games!

[FNG]

I appreciate and share FNG's enthusiasm -- otherwise what's the point? It's pretty amazing that the Wolves are still in the playoff hunt when the player we thought was the team's best player going into the season has missed most of the year. Ant and Jaden are young foundational pieces that have progressed remarkably in KATs absence, and they should be getting the big fella back soon. It's going to be a fun 21 games!

Thx Sundog. But according to the latest Vegas line, and an article in the athletic yesterday advising how to bet the line, I'm actually pessimistic, not optimistic. My spreadsheet has the wolves at 41 wins (with a long west coast losing streak coming up after the charlotte game) and the current Vegas line is higher than that! My view just seems optimistic in contrast to the current prevalent despair on this board!

Look, I can understand the despair to some extent...41 wins is far below my preseason prediction. But your point is well taken...we have been missing Towns for most of the season! Imagine how last years squad would have done playing without KAT! I'm feeling two different emotions...disappointment about our record to date, but excitement about what this team can do in the playoffs with a true PG at the helm and the return of KAT. Let's go Wolves!

[60WinTim]

I am at the end of the world in southern most Chile. But I am opTIMistic! I'll be back in a couple weeks. But as Cam said, "the real Mike Conley era begins tonight!" ;-)

[Sundog]

Ha, well, FNG, I didn't say I (or you) were optimistic or pessimistic -- I just said I appreciated and shared your enthusiasm :-) ... it was Lip who found your optimism inspiring.