Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 reasons they will make the playoffs in 2017-18

1. Improved depth

The Minnesota Timberwolves had one of the worst benches in the NBA last season. This is the real reason they lost a lot of games down the stretch. Their starters played too many minutes and were gassed. Wiggins led the NBA in total minutes played. Towns and Gorgui Dieng were not far behind him.

If you look at how well the Wolves performed in the first half of their games compared to the second half, you can see the effect of having a thin bench. The Wolves were the sixth-best team in the first half and the fourth-worst during the second half. The fatigue really came into play in each second half.

This season, the bench is greatly improved. For example, Dieng, who started all 82 games last season, is projected to come off the bench if the Wolves stick to their preseason starting lineup. In addition, the Wolves added Jamal Crawford, drafted Justin Patton and re-signed Shabazz Muhammad. The second unit has a lot of talent and should hold its own this season.

Next: 2017-18 Week 1 NBA Power Rankings

The Minnesota Timberwolves have an excellent opportunity to end their playoff drought this season. In the past, they have found ways not to make the playoffs. This year, hopefully they focus on these five reasons to end the postseason drought.