In December, the Wolves will play only one sub-500 team, the Hornets. After that, it’s @ Pelicans, @ Mavericks, vs Pacers, @ Heat, @ 76ers, vs Lakers, @ Kings, @ Thunder, vs Mavericks, and finally vs Lakers again.

It’s not inconceivable that the league didn’t take their games against them to start seriously, allowing star players to take games off. So far they’ve played most of the good teams without their star player. Now, I think this will be a game that opponents circle and want to show up against.

Depending upon how they do in December, and if my theory that opposing teams won’t give their guys a night off, we will finally know for sure if the Minnesota Timberwolves have the ability to contend for the championship. Either way, I think they’ve shown they can go far in the playoffs.