OKC Thunder: Analyzing stretch run schedules with view to seeding

Minnesota Timberwolves:

The current seventh seeded Jimmy Butler-less Wolves played three times this week defeating fellow playoff seekers the LA Clippers as well as the Knicks, but lost an important match to the 76ers. With the way the week panned out the OKC Thunder gained some leeway and hold a one and a half game cushion over the Wolves.

The big question for the Wolves is whether Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins can keep the Wolves in the hunt.

The second question is whether the reported issues over Towns becoming ‘the man’ in Butler’s absence and Wiggins dissatisfaction over his role ends up affecting where the team ends up or their ability to succeed should they make the playoffs.

Remaining schedule includes:

• Memphis Grizzlies, Monday 26
• Atlanta Hawks, Wednesday 28
• At Dallas Mavericks, Friday 30
• Utah Jazz, Sunday April 1
• At Denver Nuggets, Thursday 5
• At Los Angeles Lakers, Friday 6
• Memphis Grizzlies, Monday 9
• Denver Nuggets, Wednesday 11

Wolves entered weekend play with ten games remaining and are left with eight to play. Of those only three are versus potential playoff seeds and those games are against the teams most likely to fill the bottom berth.  Three are on the road and one back to back set remains. Clearly, this is the easiest schedule of the teams vying for playoff entry.

Personally, the hope is for the Wolves to make the playoffs after a 13 year absence. It’s been mentioned here before, but the OKC Thunder have been extremely fortunate playing past April in seven of their nine seasons as a franchise. As fans of the Thunder it would be inconceivable to miss 13 consecutive seasons, so let’s pull for the fanbase to get there – they are long overdue.