There’s a strong belief that Minnesota is going to pose a bigger threat in the West this season, with Karl-Anthony Towns fully healthy both mentally and physically and Anthony Edwards already looking like a star. So far their early play has backed that theory.
The Timberwolves went 3-1 in preseason and have begun the regular season 1-0. Granted, they opened the 2021-22 campaign at home against the lowly Rockets and the exhibition games often mean very little. Positive results cannot be entirely overlooked, however, as the Pelicans can attest.
New Orleans enjoyed little success in preseason, individually and as a team, and that’s followed them into this regular season — evidenced by two double-digit defeats.