The NBA tips off tonight, and I’ll be in action on one of the three first night games. There are also a couple of games I like on the Wednesday slate, and I’ll use one of those here as the daily free play.
TIMBERWOLVES at GRIZZLIES
Take: TIMBERWOLVES +2
I’m willing to admit I’m buying into the hype. The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the hot picks to rise in the standings this season. I’m normally somewhat contrarian when it comes to these things. But this is one time I’m prepared to go along for the ride.
There isn’t much debate that Minnesota has a dynamic roster loaded with big league potential. Towns and Wiggins are true nucleus pieces. LaVine is a phenomenal athlete who has a chance to be a star. Dunn is a rookie with huge upside. It’s a sky’s the limit franchise at this point, and I have to think it’s a matter of when rather than if in terms of the Wolves being a contender.
I’m not ready to put this team into the NBA Finals or anything quite that dramatic this soon. But I do expect this Minnesota entry to have a legitimate shot to be in action come playoff time. That’s where the coaching comes into the picture.
Tom Thibodeau is the new coach of the Timberwolves, and he’s also the new president of basketball operations. That means no one looking over his shoulder, and a chance to run the show exactly as he sees fit. I make this a major plus for the Wolves.
While a handful of exhibition games is hardly enough to go on as far as a longterm prediction goes, I really liked what I saw when viewing the Timberwolves on a couple of occasions these past couple of weeks. It’s clear to me this team will be more fundamentally sound than previous editions, and there shouldn’t be much doubt that with Thibodeau in charge, these guys are going to play defense.
This piece has been all about the Timberwolves, which probably isn’t fair to a decent enough Memphis Grizzlies entry that should be very respectable this season. But at least for one night, I’m drinking the Minnesota Kool-Aid. Off my pre-season power rankings, I made Minnesota the small favorite here. Since they’re small dogs on the betting line, I’m going to go ahead and take the available points with the Timberwolves.
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My NBA Opener 2* Best Bet is up for tonight!
Also - today is the last day for early-bird discounts on my NBA Season Access available here.