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NBA Power Rankings Week 19: April review and the rising Phoenix Suns

By Corey Rausch

Apr 13, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) and Devin Booker (1) against the Miami Heat in the second half at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) and Devin Booker (1) against the Miami Heat in the second half at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

22. Minnesota Timberwolves

Last Week: Beat Utah Jazz 105-104, Beat Houston Rockets 114-107, Beat Golden State Warriors 126-114, Lost/OT to New Orleans Pelicans 140-136

This Week: 5/5 vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 5/7 at Miami Heat

Expectations entering April for the Minnesota Timberwolves were rather low. They were 12-36 and appeared to be headed for the best lottery odds in the league. The Timberwolves went 8-8 in April, including ending the month on a four-game winning streak. Even more impressive, the Timberwolves posted the 12th ranked offensive in the month, finally getting to see their stars share the floor.

D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns each played 14 games in April and the team went 8-6 in those games. The sample size is obviously small but any sort of winning record for the Timberwolves is scarce. They are starting to show that betting on that tandem is more than worthwhile. Towns averaged 26.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists on shooting splits of .484/.379/.848. He looks like the former All-Star the Timberwolves need him to be.

Russell has come off the bench since returning in the first week of April and has thrived in his sixth-man role, averaging 18.7 points and 5.6 assists a night. He is growing into the comfort zone of coming off the bench, essential for the team as they figure out how all the pieces fit. Anthony Edwards had another strong month, averaging 21.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 blocks per game. This has all been with Malik Beasley playing just one game this month. The Timberwolves may finally be on to something.