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Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Preview

By Staff

Apr 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; General view of Target Center before the game between the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Greg Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; General view of Target Center before the game between the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Greg Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Prediction

Oct 10, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Corey Brewer (13) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) and guard Ricky Rubio (9) talk during a break in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Target Center. The Timberwolves win 116-110. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Corey Brewer (13) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) and guard Ricky Rubio (9) talk during a break in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Target Center. The Timberwolves win 116-110. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

Record: 34-48, 12th in Western Conference

Factoring in the inevitable defensive improvement but equal, if not greater decrease in offensive efficiency, this team will crank out a final record that isn’t all too different from last year’s 40-win season.

Don’t forget that last year’s version of the Wolves was historically unlucky when it comes to point differential — it was the best point differential of any non-playoff team in decades. They should have won 48-50 games.

Obviously, the absence of Love mitigates some (read: a lot) of that potential bounce-back from a bad-luck season, but a team that is returning six of it’s top-eight rotation players should reap some benefits of the law of averages evening itself out. Throw in the improvement on defense, and it’ll soften the blow of losing Love and adding multiple rookies to the rotation.

Honestly, this could be a playoff team in the Eastern Conference. In the Western Conference, Wolves fans should harbor no such illusions.

The 2014-15 Wolves will manage a 34-win season, and Saunders will be able to sell his vision of hope to the fan base. And rightfully so, really. Losing a top-six player and only losing six more games would be an impressive thing.

If Wiggins plays defense like he has to start the preseason and is able to get to the line on a consistent basis, he’ll win the Rookie of the Year award going away. Combined with signs of improvement from Rubio, and this team will be on track for 40+ wins and a shot at the playoffs in a year.

And that will be enough to placate a thirsty fan base. For another year or two, anyway.

A decade and counting…

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