The Minnesota Timberwolves are off to their best start since a 9-1 opening to the 2001-02 NBA season. With the Timberwolves at 8-2 heading into their Wednesday night game at the Phoenix Suns, fans have their eyes on the playoffs for this squad. Many of those same folks also are glancing at when Minnesota sports betting becomes legal.
With the hot start in mind, MinnesotaBets.com – your source for Minnesota betting apps – utilized Basketball-Reference.com to examine the first 10 games for each of the past 10 years of Timberwolves basketball. This showed how the team looked early and how they ended up at the end of the year.
How Timberwolves Fared in First 10 Games
Minnesota Hopes Fast Success Pays Off
Not only is this the Timberwolves’ best start since the early 2000s, it’s the first time the team has been above .500 after 10 games since 2019-20. Despite that 6-4 start, the 2019-20 team did not qualify for the postseason and ended the year well below .500.
This year’s squad has a much better chance at making it, considering the team has made the playoffs the past two seasons despite starting worse than they did this year. With that playoff experience, combined with this year's start, it’s no wonder that Minnesota fans are optimistic.
The key to Minnesota’s start this year has been its team defense, as they lead the league in defensive rating and also have excelled in slowing down the pace of games. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns are doing their part for the team, with Edwards averaging over 27 points a night and Towns over 20.
Having those two healthy together through 10 games has been a big boost for a club that also boasts defensive stalwart Rudy Gobert. Gobert has hauled in at least 10 rebounds in every game this season.
Minnesota hasn’t simply feasted on easy competition, as they have won games against good teams as well. Minnesota has defeated the defending champion Denver Nuggets, the Boston Celtics and, recently, the Golden State Warriors (twice) during its current seven-game winning streak.
The T-Wolves once again will be tested on Wednesday as they face the star-laden Phoenix Suns, who look to have their three top players on the court together for the first time. With a clear identity as a strong defensive team and a group of players that has shown an early buy-in to the style of play they need to utilize to be successful, Minnesota has established the path they need to extend their postseason qualification streak to three. With Gobert, Edwards and Towns leading the way, another playoff berth looks likely for the Timberwolves.
MinnesotaBets.com will be following the Timberwolves and all the state’s pro teams, as well as proving Minnesota sports betting promo codes.
