Yet Minnesota didn’t attempt to lose, even late in the season. The Timberwolves played Dallas on the final day of the 2020-21 campaign, and a loss would have improved Minnesota’s odds of jumping into the top three by 4.3%. Instead, the Wolves went for the win and waxed the Mavericks.

The Minnesota Timberwolves secured a 117-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. Anthony Edwards led the charge with 30 points, including 16 during a pivotal third-quarter run that shifted the game's momentum.

Two long-suffering NBA franchises can secure conference title spots with Game 5 wins Wednesday, although only Minnesota is favored.

But what about Minnesota? The Timberwolves currently own the No. 17 pick, Detroit’s selection that they acquired as part of their trade with the Knicks back in September. Who is Minnesota projected to select in the first round of next month’s draft? Here’s who the experts suspect may soon be joining the organization:

The Minnesota Timberwolves will be hosting Golden State Warriors in Game 5 in the Western Conference semifinals on Wednesday, May 14th at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

At +600 odds, the Timberwolves have a 14.29% implied probability of winning their first NBA Championship, according to FanDuel. After beginning the postseason as betting underdogs against the Lakers, they've seen a meteoric rise up the title odds list.

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green has been fined $50,000 by the NBA for making an “inappropriate comment” to the officials during Game 3 of their second-round playoff series against Minnesota.