How fitting that the Timberwolves would pick the time around Groundhog Day to emerge from their hole. For Al Jefferson and Co., the first two and a half months of the season were one long, monotonous routine of losing. Now, suddenly, Minnesota is starting to play well enough for vice president Kevin McHale to come out from hiding and show his face again in the Twin Cities.
The Wolves downed the Nets on Sunday to make it three victories in four games. Last week they won at Golden State, then knocked off the mighty Suns back in Minneapolis. Their only setback in that span was a heartbreaking one-point loss at Boston, a game in which former franchise player Kevin Garnett had to make a key steal late to seal the outcome.
Can the Wolves keep it up? The schedule is conducive. Minnesota plays a home-and-home with the struggling Bulls this week, then begins February with nine of its first 10 at the Target Center. Maybe, just maybe, the Wolves' long cold winter is showing signs of a thaw.
This week's high riser: Wolves (No. 24 from 29)
This week's big drop: Lakers (No. 13 from 7)
| NBA Power Rankings |
| 1 |
4 |
 |
It's official. Saturday's 24-point rout over the Spurs at San Antonio -- their eighth straight victory and 16th in 18 games overall -- definitely makes them the NBA's hottest team. But can they keep it going this week when the Nuggets (Monday) and Warriors (Wednesday) visit the Hive? |
| 2 |
1 |
 |
The way they keep stubbing their toe (they're just 5-5 since Jan. 9), they might need to borrow Tom Brady's walking boot pretty soon. But Garnett (abdominal strain) should be back after sitting out Sunday's loss to the Magic, and Damon Stoudamire (set to be waived by the Grizzlies) could soon be added to provide veteran leadership at the point. |
| 3 |
2 |
 |
They downed the Nuggets on Sunday to make it three straight and 11 victories in 13 games. But Devin Harris (ankle) has joined Jerry Stackhouse (hamstring) on the hobbled list as they head into a tough four-game road trip featuring stops at Boston (Thursday), Detroit (Sunday) and Orlando (Monday). |
| 4 |
3 |
 |
They rebounded from a shocking loss at Minnesota last week by defeating the Cavs and Bulls to finish 3-1 on their road trip. Meanwhile, they're showing they can play a little D. Through Sunday, they had held five of their last eight foes under 100 points. |
| 5 |
9 |
 |
LeBron James had 41 points to outduel Kobe Bryant in Sunday's win at the Lakers, Cleveland's 12th victory in 15 games. But the Cavs are hoping Anderson Varejao (ankle) won't be out long, especially with Sasha Pavlovic (foot) expected to miss six-to-eight weeks. |
| 6 |
10 |
 |
They missed Yao Ming (upper respiratory infection) in Sunday's home loss to the Jazz that snapped their four-game winning streak. But overall they've won nine of 12 games, thanks in large part to a defense that has yielded more than 100 points just twice in that span. |
| 7 |
8 |
 |
They bounced back from Friday's home loss to the Rockets, their first at the Rose Garden two months, by rallying from 19 down to slay the Hawks on Sunday. Once again Brandon Roy led the way, scoring 24 points and making the go-ahead free throw with 2.3 seconds left. |
| 8 |
5 |
 |
Could Chris Webber really be close to signing up with Don Nelson? What's next, Latrell Sprewell joining P.J. Carlesimo's Sonics? Peace in the Middle East? The Wolves winning at Golden State ... oops, that actually happened last week. |
| 9 |
6 |
 |
They smoked the Magic last Friday to avenge a loss at Orlando four days earlier. Now if they could just get Jarvis Hayes going again. The reserve guard is averaging 4.1 points on 34 percent shooting in January, and has hit just one of his last 19 three-point attempts. |
| 10 |
13 |
 |
They shut down the Yao-less Rockets on Sunday for their fourth consecutive victory, as they continue to climb back in the West race. They've averaged 109.3 points in the last nine games, with their only loss in that stretch coming at Denver. |
|
1 of 3
