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NBA Power Rankings: Blake Griffin trade shakes things up

By Daniel Lewis

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 22: A close up shot of Blake Griffin
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 22: A close up shot of Blake Griffin /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 12: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to a call during the game against the New York Knicks on January 12, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 12: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to a call during the game against the New York Knicks on January 12, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

. Previous: 5th. Minnesota Timberwolves. 7. team. 86.

The Timberwolves missed Jimmy Butler this week, losing big games against the Warriors and Trail Blazers, but were able to get wins over the Clippers and Nets to salvage the week. Andrew Wiggins stepped up without their star player against Los Angeles, scoring 40 points while Jeff Teague rolled for 30 points, with the point guard making 16-of-17 free throws. The Timberwolves struggled to stop Blake Griffin, who had a triple-double with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists, but they forced him into two turnovers in the clutch, and the Clippers were assessed a couple of technicals to help Minnesota win a close game.

They followed that up with a poor defensive effort against the Portland Trail Blazers, giving up 43 points in the third quarter of a 123-114 loss. They let up defensively, and weren’t able to get to the free throw line as often as they did against the Clippers. They dropped their game against Golden State, giving up another triple-double as Kevin Durant chalked up 28 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns had 31 points, but the Timberwolves couldn’t match the Warriors intensity to start the game and then seemed to get more and more distant as the game closed. Butler returned for their game against the Nets, and they picked up a win to close the week out, 111-97. Butler had 21 points, but looked rusty more than once. Nets coach Kenny Atkinson lost his temper in the fourth, but the game was already decided at that point.

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