After 16-game gauntlet, next 23 are much easier for Timberwolves

Wolves will play 13 games against teams under .500 over the next month-and-a-half

After an extremely hard stretch of 16 consecutive games against opponents with .500 or better records, the Minnesota Timberwolves remain in the top spot in the Western Conference and staring at a new, much easier stretch that could yield many victories. 

Over the course of their next 23 games, Minnesota will play 13 teams that are below .500 (entering play Jan. 11), including five games against teams currently with single-digit wins. In that span the Wolves will play the 6-30 Spurs twice and the 10-27 Trailblazers three times. Minnesota will also take on the 3-35 Pistons and the 6-31 Wizards.

On the difficult end, Minnesota will play each of the 26-11 Thunder, 26-12 Bucks and the 24-13 Clippers twice during the 23-game stretch. The Wolves will also take part in five back-to-backs in that frame.

If the Wolves are able to pull off 16 wins in that span they'll equal their win total (42) from last season with an entire month and a half left to play.

According to Tankathon, Minnesota is tied with Orlando for the easiest remainig schedule in the NBA. If the Wolves are able to maintain their current .703 win percentage over the final 45 games of the season, they will finish with an estimated 57 victories. 

The Wolves went 9-7 in their 16-game stretch against teams above .500, which culminated in an overtime loss in Boston against a Celtics team that is undefeated at home this season.

Jan 3, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5), center Rudy Gobert (27) and guard Mike Conley (10) talk during a free throw against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first half at Target Center / Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports