The Timberwolves’ 47-35 record last season was good enough for an eighth-place finish in the Western Conference, setting up an unfortunate matchup against the top-seeded Houston Rockets.
Things may have been different if the Wolves were in the East, however. A 47-35 record in the lesser conference would’ve had the Timberwolves sitting in the sixth seed, one game behind Indiana for No. 5, and setting up a first round matchup against the 76ers.
The unfortunate injury to Jimmy Butler, which may have robbed Minnesota of a home-court advantage in the first leg of the playoffs and could’ve led to a deeper run, would also have boosted their hypothetical chances in the East should it have not occurred.