Can the Wolves Get Past the Suns?

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        There is no doubt that the Minnesota Timberwolves just had an excellent season after years of disappointment. They finished the season with a 56-26 record, finishing third in the Western Conference. As they are the third seed they will face the sixth seed Phoenix Suns in the first-round of the NBA playoffs. Despite the great regular season they've had, Minnesota has little experience when it comes to playoff success or even just making it out the first-round. Meanwhile Phoenix has three offensive superstars, a head coach who knows what it takes to win a championship and have some experience in playoff success. 



        Both of these teams can be considered polar opposites as Minnesota has the best defensive rating in the NBA and Phoenix has the tenth best offensive rating in the NBA. The Suns also have two players who are in the top ten in points per game, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant both with 27.1 points per game. On Minnesota's side, Rudy Gobert is in the top ten in blocks per game with 2.1. Both of these team's personal are completely different from one another and we get to see at least four match ups of it. 



        Despite such a great regular season, some might see Minnesota as an underdog with the superstars on Phoenix's side and the lack of playoff success in two decades. Minnesota has not won a playoff series since 2004. There is a saying that "defense wins championships" and statistically Minnesota has the best defense in the league this season. However, Minnesota getting knocked out by the Phoenix Suns is a huge possibility given how stack and talented the Western Conference is. The Suns swept the season series against the Timberwolves but that doesn't necessarily mean that will translate into the playoffs but this will be a fun first-round match up. 
Location: Miami, FL, USA

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