Ranking the 5 toughest Timberwolves games in December
December is almost here and the Timberwolves will play at least 11 games – up to three more depending on how the In-Season Tournament shakes out – and seven of the already-scheduled games are on the road. They won't be home for Christmas and they better not party too hard on New Year's Eve because they have a matinee game on New Year's Day in New York against the Knicks.
All that aside, the Timberwolves have a tough and potentially very busy December. Here are the five most difficult games of the month, starting with the hardest.
1. Dec. 20 at Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers might be the best team in the East. If they aren't, they're definitely in the conversation with the Celtics and they'll be a big test for the Timberwolves. Can Minnesota bigs slow down Joel Embiid and will Jaden McDaniels be tasked with hounding Tyrese Maxey?
Nov 19, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
2. Dec. 26 at Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC might be the most exciting young team in the league with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey and more. This game coming the day after Christmas, when the Wolves will be traveling and the Thunder will be in the middle of a five game home stand, make it a very difficult matchup for Minnesota.
3. Dec. 11 at New Orleans Pelicans
Both the Pelicans and Timberwolves will have had at least a full day to rest after the In-Season Tournament, and possibly a full week of rest depending on how things go. Knowing that, it could mark the first time this season that Zion Williamson plays against Minnesota. The Wolves smoked the shorthanded Pelicans in Minneapolis in early November and then beat them 121-120 in New Orleans on Nov. 18.
4. Dec. 18 at Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler has a knack for sitting out games against his former team, but this one isn't part of a back-to-back and travel won't be an issue either because this game marks the end of a four game home stand for the Heat.
5. Dec. 14 at Dallas Mavericks
This one looks tough and it surely will be but the Mavericks will be playing a third game in four nights, so fatigue could be a factor that benefits the Timberwolves.
Note: You'll notice when you check the schedule that the Timberwolves don't have any games Dec. 3-10. That's because the In-Season Tournament knockout rounds are happening that week. The quarterfinals are Dec. 4-5, followed by the semifinals on Dec. 7 and then the championship game on Dec. 9.
