First off, I really expected the Wolves to have been out of it by this point. I thought this brutal stretch after the all-star break would SURELY be the nail in the coffin. Instead there was yet another plot twist to this bizarre season: the Wolves have found an edge, started playing defense, and finally are looking like the team we all hoped to see, if not an even better version.
It's been nice. For the first time since early in the season I'm feeling really excited about the team's future. Next year is going to be good.
That said, there is still this season's slim playoff hopes to consider, and in my opinion they have one more gauntlet to run to have a legit shot, and that gauntlet is the next 3 games:
Home against the red hot Wizards, then on the road against the Celtics who are moving into the elite category, and then on the road against the Heat who somehow have gone 21-5 since starting 11-30. The bottom line is this: if they can find a way to win 2 out of these 3, and at worst not lose ground to Denver and maybe gain some, then the next 8 games there is a chance to make a move:
@ Pels
vs Spurs
@ Lakers
@ Blazers
@ Pacers
vs Lakers
vs Kings
vs Blazers
While it won't be easy, there is a chance to go 7-1 or 6-2 there. We're even due to beat the Spurs. So if they can hold the fort over the next 3 by winning at least 2, they could keep this momentum going and maybe catch Denver during that 8 game stretch. On the other hand, even losing two of the next 3 might be the end. I just don't see them recovering from 4.5 down or worse with 14 to go. 3.5 is a tall task. So basically tomorrow night's game is a must win. Win tomorrow and then steal one on the road, then those 8 subsequent games provide a chance.
It would be fun to see them make a horse race of it to the end. This man would approve:
