3. Depth Of Each Team
What both teams have accomplished this season has been impressive. No one expected the Minnesota Timberwolves to take this big of a step forward, while the LA Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard all season and Paul George played in only 31 games. How they have achieved these results, however, has been in two different ways.
Minnesota has had good health, which is arguably the most important thing to sustained success during the grind of the NBA season. Look how injuries impacted the Los Angeles Lakers. Towns and Edwards missed 18 games combined this season as six Timberwolves played in at least 70 games.
The Clippers were not as lucky when it came to health. In addition to Leonard and George, Norman Powell played in only five out of a possible 28 games with Los Angeles. Four Clippers played at least 70 games, but their key contributors missed a lot of time.
That speaks volumes about the depth that the Clippers have. They have eight players in their rotation averaging double-digit points this season, with Amir Coffey just missing as he averages 9.0 per game. The Minnesota Timberwolves have only four averaging double-digits, as they are a much more top-heavy team.
LATEST NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS INFO: 3 Dark-Horse Teams Capable Of Pulling Off NBA Finals Run
While depth isn’t as big of an issue in the postseason, as teams will normally cut back their rotations anyway, it will be something to keep an eye on. If the LA Clippers can neutralize one of the Timberwolves’ Big 3, will anyone else step up? This is also the healthiest the Clippers have been all season.
