Let’s start with the good news: if the Timberwolves win their final two games at Target Center—against the NBA’s version of the “Do Not Resuscitate” button in Brooklyn and Utah—they avoid the play-in tournament and officially punch their ticket to the real dance. That’s it. Two games. Two layups. Two gimmes. Two don’t-overthink-this moments. Beat the Nets. Beat the Jazz. Secure your fourth straight playoff appearance. Easy, right?
Well… not if you’ve been a Wolves fan for more than five minutes.
Because if you have, you know that this is the moment when the Timberwolves historically step on the rake.