NBA Regular Season: Timberwolves' Surge Puts Pressure on Warriors and Lakers

The NBA regular season has entered the final stretch, and all teams are doing their best for a better ranking. The Timberwolves defeated the Jazz 128 - 102 at home, achieving an 8 - game winning streak, which is currently the longest in the league!

After the game, Anthony Edwards deserved a treat. In this game, Edwards played 31 minutes, making 16 out of 27 field - goal attempts, 5 out of 14 three - pointers, and 4 out of 6 free throws, efficiently scoring 41 points, grabbing 2 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists. Karl - Anthony Towns scored 20 points with 12 rebounds and 2 blocks, Julius Randle had 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists, Devin Vassell contributed 11 points and 7 assists, Rudy Gobert got 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks, Alexander Walker scored 9 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and had 3 assists, and Jordan Clark scored 8 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.

Facing the tanking Jazz, the Timberwolves won effortlessly. The Timberwolves reached the Western Conference Finals last season, but the off - season trade of trading Karl - Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Devin Vassell was highly questioned. After the trade, the Timberwolves' strength declined significantly, and they had been lingering in the play - in zone for a long time. However, in the final stretch of the regular season, the Timberwolves have started to pick up steam. A lean camel is still bigger than a horse. After all, the Timberwolves played in the Western Conference Finals last season, so don't underestimate them.

After the 8 - game winning streak, the Timberwolves' record stands at 40 wins and 29 losses, ranking seventh in the Western Conference. They have tied the win - loss record with the Warriors in front of them and are only 2.5 games behind the Lakers. According to the schedule, the remaining games for the Timberwolves are the least difficult in the Western Conference, which will help them strive for a top - six finish in the West. The Timberwolves have already played against the Thunder, the Cavaliers, and the Celtics. At the end of the season, they will play against many tanking teams, and there is also a game against the Nuggets. With their strong momentum and an easy schedule, the Warriors and the Lakers in front of them are under great pressure.

After Jimmy Butler joined the Warriors, the team has also been on a roll. Statistics show that since Butler's arrival, the Warriors have a record of 14 wins and 2 losses, and they have even achieved a 7 - game winning streak recently. However, even so, the Warriors have not been able to widen the gap with the Timberwolves. Because the hole they dug before Butler's arrival was too deep. After the 14 - win and 2 - loss streak, there is still a significant gap between the Warriors and the top five in the Western Conference. With the surging Timberwolves behind them, the Warriors really can't afford to lose a single game.

Tomorrow, the Warriors will host the third - ranked Nuggets in the Western Conference. If they win, they can maintain their sixth - place in the West. But if they lose, they will be overtaken by the Timberwolves and drop out of the top six. The game against the Nuggets is crucial for the Warriors. If they win, they can not only keep their sixth - place but also continue their winning streak. But if they lose, the momentum will be interrupted, and it will be difficult to get back on track later. Considering the Warriors' history in the play - in tournament, they don't want to participate in it. Of course, with Butler on the team now, things might be different if they have to play in the play - in.

The Lakers defeated the Suns, slightly halting their losing streak. However, the Lakers' crisis is far from over. The Warriors and the Timberwolves behind them are catching up fast, and they don't have much room for error. Tomorrow, they will play a back - to - back game against the Spurs, which is a must - win game for the Lakers. Although it's a back - to - back, the Spurs' strength is limited. In fact, it was really a shame that the Lakers lost to the Nets a few days ago. If they had won that game, they would have had more room for error.

It is reported that LeBron James is expected to be out for another week, and Rui Hachimura will also be sidelined for a week. In the next week, the Lakers will play 4 games against the Spurs, the Nuggets, the Bucks, and the Bulls. All these 4 games will be at home, but they will play the Nuggets and the Bucks in a back - to - back situation. The form of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves is improving, and D'Angelo Russell has returned. If the Lakers can maintain their top - five position in the Western Conference when James and Hachimura return and there are no new serious injuries, then the crisis will be resolved.