Sacramento Kings – Minnesota Timberwolves

Sacramento Kings (9th place in the Western Conference)

The band from California is one of the unknowns that period. He dropped in to racing break DeMarcus Cousins ​​(star player in recent seasons), preferring a strategy that no longer rely on a single player figures. With Pelicans, that is exactly the group where he went “Boogie” things were and Kings won, but in the next game were highlighted those issues of uniformity expected by everyone: defeat categorical in their own arena against those from Charlotte Hornets ( 85-99).

Success in front of pelicans him too much excited fans in Sacramento and that’s because the band of New Orleans is in turn a mild reconstruction. When she had to face a more band congealed, things have greatly complicated, confirming the opinion of specialists who supported immediately after the All-Star break Vlade Divac and ceilalati as officials sentenced to Kings missing the play-new off-site by decisions taken recently.

Beyond the defeats and failures, there is an aspect worth obvious: efficiency defense. Sure, it was natural that somewhere Sacramento figures to raise their defense, Dave Joerger, joined coach last summer, he is one of the best technicians in the world in this respect. Those who regularly follow the events of the NBA know that it really built a fortress at Memphis Grizzlies in previous seasons.

It remains to be seen to what extent Kings will be able to lay claims to accede to the playoffs without Cousins. Maybe Joerger and his staff will be able to build a competitive band at a time, but not predictive of future times too good for the team in Sacramento.

Minnesota Timberwolves (12th place in the Western Conference)

Wolves has a lot last able to attack leading position in the play-offs. Moreover, relations game have improved significantly from the beginning of the season. Tom Thibodeau, a coach who, like Joerger prefer a more defensive, easily managed, easy to find that balance where his young students to play as a team. Sure, there are still many things to be improved, but the group of Minnesota is on track.

Andrew Wiggins and company checked three wins in the last five rounds. It is pointed out that the two failures came against top opponents: Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers. Except disputes against Harden superstars, LeBron and Irving, Timberwolves has displayed a solid game, both in terms of offensive and defensive.

“We understand increasingly better. We know what we can do and not do all of us. Finally we can say that a genuine team “was Karl Anthony Towns’s statement at the end of the match the Rockets, who managed the game better offensive benefit of his career (37 points scored).