Even though the Minnesota Timberwolves didn't make the NBA Playoffs this season, there are still many reasons for Wolves fans to watch. Not only for the excitement of the matchups and the drama of the games, but for more selfish reasons as well.
After all, David Kahn said in his end-of-year press conference that the Wolves will make some aggressive moves in the offseason. Who better to help the Wolves make the playoffs next year than players who are already there this season?
Below the fold is a handy guide for each first round matchup in this year's playoffs. Reference as necessary.
Eastern Conference
Chicago Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Game 1: Saturday, April 28th, 12 PM (TNT) [all game times Central Time]
Game 2: Tuesday, May 1st, 7 PM (TNT)
Game 3: Friday, May 4th, 7 PM (ESPN)
Game 4: Sunday, May 6th, 12 PM (ABC)
Game 5: Tuesday, May 8th (TBD)
Game 6: Thursday, May 10th (TBD)
Game 7: Saturday, May 12th (TBD on TNT)
Chicago Bulls
Injuries: No significant injuries
Record: 50-16 (1st in Central Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 1-0
Former Timberwolves on roster: Mike James
Upcoming free agents: John Lucas (U), Mike James (U), Brian Scalabrine (U), Omer Asik (R)
Philadelphia 76ers
Injuries: Andre Iguodala, probable for Game 1 with a strained right hamstring
Record: 35-31 (3rd in Atlantic Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 0-1
Former Timberwolves on roster: None
Upcoming free agents: Tony Battie (U), Elton Brand (ETO), Spencer Hawes (U), Louis Williams (ETO), Lavoy Allen (R), Jodie Meeks (R), Sam Young (R)
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks
Game 1: Saturday, April 28th, 2:30 PM (ABC)
Game 2: Monday, April 30th, 6 PM (TNT)
Game 3: Thursday, May 3rd, 6 PM (TNT)
Game 4: Sunday, May 6th, 2:30 PM (ABC)
Game 5: Wednesday, May 9th (TBD)
Game 6: Friday, May 11th (TBD)
Game 7: Sunday, May 13th (TBD)
Miami Heat
Injuries: Chris Bosh, probable for Game 1 with a sore hamstring; Dwyane Wade, probable for Game 1 with a dislocated left finger
Record: 46-20 (1st in Southeast Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 1-0
Former Timberwolves on roster: Mike Miller, Eddy Curry, Juwan Howard, Mario Chalmers
Upcoming free agents: Eddy Curry (U), Juwan Howard (U), Ronny Turiaf (P), Terrel Harris (R)
New York Knicks
Injuries: Tyson Chandler, questionable for Game 1 with flu-like symptoms; Toney Douglas, out for Game 1 with a virus; Jared Jeffries, questoinable for Game 1 with a sore right knee; Jeremy Lin, out for playoffs
Record: 36-30 (2nd in Atlantic Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 1-0
Former Timberwolves on roster: None
Upcoming free agents: Mike Bibby (U), Baron Davis (U), Dan Gadzuric (U), Jared Jeffries (U), Steve Novak (U), J.R. Smith (P), Landry Fields (R), Jeremy Lin (R)
Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando Magic
Game 1: Saturday, April 28th, 6 PM (ESPN)
Game 2: Monday, April 30th, 6:30 PM (NBA TV)
Game 3: Wednesday, May 2nd, 6:30 PM (NBA TV)
Game 4: Saturday, May 5th, 1 PM (ESPN)
Game 5: Tuesday, May 8th (TBD)
Game 6: Friday, May 11th (TBD)
Game 7: Sunday, May 13th (TBD)
Indiana Pacers
Injuries: Leandro Barbosa, questionable for Game 1 with a sprained left ankle; Danny Granger, probable for Game 1 with a strained knee
Record: 42-24 (2nd in Central Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 2-0
Former Timberwolves on roster: None
Upcoming free agents: Louis Amundson (U), Leandro Barbosa (U), Kyrylo Fesenko (U), Dahntay Jones (U), Roy Hibbert (R), George Hill (R), A.J. Price (R)
Orlando Magic
Injuries: Glen Davis, probable for Game 1 with a sprained right ankle; Dwight Howard, out for the playoffs
Record: 37-29 (3rd in Southeast Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 1-0
Former Timberwolves on roster: Quentin Richardson
Upcoming free agents: Earl Clark (P), Jameer Nelson (P), Daniel Orton (U), Ryan Anderson (R), DeAndre Liggins (R)
Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics
Game 1: Sunday, April 29th, 6 PM (TNT)
Game 2: Tuesday, May 1st, 6:30 PM (NBA TV)
Game 3: Friday, May 4th, 6:30 PM (ESPN 2)
Game 4: Sunday, May 6th, 6 PM (TNT)
Game 5: Tuesday, May 8th (TBD)
Game 6: Thursday, May 10th (TBD)
Game 7: Saturday, May 12th (TBD)
Atlanta Hawks
Injuries: Al Horford, out for the season; Zaza Pachulia, out for the season; Jannero Pargo, questionable for Game 1 with a sore back
Record: 40-26 (2nd in Southeast Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 1-0
Former Timberwolves on roster: Jason Collins
Upcoming free agents: Jason Collins (U), Erick Dampier (U), Willie Green (U), Kirk Hinrich (U), Tracy McGrady (U), Jannero Pargo (U), Vladimir Radmanovic (U), Jerry Stackhouse (U), Ivan Johnson (R)
Boston Celtics
Injuries: Ray Allen, questionable for Game 1 with a sore right ankle; Greg Stiemsma, questionable for Game 1 with plantar fasciitis in right foot
Record: 39-27 (1st in Atlantic Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 1-0
Former Timberwolves on roster: Kevin Garnett, Sasha Pavlovic, Ray Allen, Greg Stiemsma, Ryan Hollins
Upcoming free agents: Ray Allen (U), Brandon Bass (P), Marquis Daniels (U), Keyon Dooling (U), Kevin Garnett (U), Jeff Green (U), Ryan Hollins (U), Sasha Pavlovic (U), Mickael Pietrus (U), Greg Stiemsma (R)
Western Conference
San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz
Game 1: Sunday, April 29th, 12 PM (ESPN)
Game 2: Wednesday, May 2nd, 6 PM (TNT)
Game 3: Saturday, May 5th, 9 PM (TNT)
Game 4: Monday, May 7th (TBD)
Game 5: Wednesday, May 9th (TBD)
Game 6: Friday, May 11th (TBD)
Game 7: Sunday, May 13th (TBD)
San Antonio Spurs
Injuries: Gary Neal, questionable for Game 1 with a stinger in left shoulder
Record: 50-16 (1st in Southwest Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 1-2
Former Timberwolves on roster: None
Upcoming free agents: Boris Diaw (U), Tim Duncan (U), Daniel Green (R), Patrick Mills (P)
Utah Jazz
Injuries: C.J. Miles, out indefinitely; Earl Watson, out indefinitely
Record: 36-30 (3rd in Northwest Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 2-1
Former Timberwolves on roster: Al Jefferson
Upcoming free agents: Josh Howard (U), C.J. Miles (U), Jamaal Tinsley (T), Blake Ahearn (R), Morris Almond (R), Jeremy Evans (R)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks
Game 1: Saturday, April 28th, 8:30 PM (ESPN)
Game 2: Monday, April 30th, 8:30 PM (TNT)
Game 3: Thursday, May 3rd, 8:30 PM (TNT)
Game 4: Saturday, May 5th, 6:30 PM (TNT)
Game 5: Monday, May 7th (TBD)
Game 6: Thursday, May 10th (TBD)
Game 7: Saturday, May 12th (TBD)
Oklahoma City Thunder
Injuries: James Harden, probable for Game 1 with a concussion; Serge Ibaka, probable for Game 1 with a bruised hip; Russell Westbrook, probable for Game 1 with a sore left wrist; Eric Maynor, out indefinitely
Record: 47-19 (1st in Northwest Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 3-0
Former Timberwolves on roster: Lazar Hayward
Upcoming free agents: Derek Fisher (U), Royal Ivey (U), Nazr Mohammed (U)
Dallas Mavericks
Injuries: No significant injuries
Record: 36-30 (3rd in Southwest Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 1-2
Former Timberwolves on roster: Brian Cardinal, Delonte West
Upcoming free agents: Brian Cardinal (U), Jason Kidd (U), Ian Mahinmi (U), Jason Terry (U), Delonte West (U), Yi Jianlian (U)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets
Game 1: Sunday, April 29th, 2:30 PM (ABC)
Game 2: Tuesday, May 1st, 9:30 PM (TNT)
Game 3: Friday, May 4th, 9:30 PM (ESPN)
Game 4: Sunday, May 6th, 8:30 PM (TNT)
Game 5: Tuesday, May 8th (TBD)
Game 6: Thursday, May 10th (TBD)
Game 7: Saturday, May 12th (TBD)
Los Angeles Lakers
Injuries: Matt Barnes, questionable for Game 1 with a sprained right ankle
Record: 41-25 (1st in Pacific Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 4-0
Former Timberwolves on roster: Ramon Sessions
Upcoming free agents: Matt Barnes (U), Jordan Hill (U), Troy Murphy (U), Ramon Sessions (P), Devin Ebanks (R), Darius Morris (R)
Denver Nuggets
Injuries: Al Harrington, questionable for Game 1 with a knee injury; Wilson Chandler, out indefinitely; Rudy Fernandez, out indefinitely
Record: 38-28 (2nd in Northwest Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 3-1
Former Timberwolves on roster: Corey Brewer, Kosta Koufos, Ty Lawson
Upcoming free agents: Andre Miller (U), Rudy Fernandez (R), JaVale McGee (R)
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Game 1: Sunday, April 29th, 8:30 PM (TNT)
Game 2: Wednesday, May 2nd, 8:30 PM (TNT)
Game 3: Saturday, May 5th, 3:30 PM (ESPN)
Game 4: Monday, May 7th (TBD)
Game 5: Wednesday, May 9th (TBD)
Game 6: Friday, May 11th (TBD)
Game 7: Sunday, May 13th (TBD)
Memphis Grizzlies
Injuries: Darrell Arthur, out for the season
Record: 41-25 (2nd in Southwest Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 4-0
Former Timberwolves on roster: O.J. Mayo, Jeremy Pargo
Upcoming free agents: Gilbert Arenas (U), Hamed Haddadi (U), Darrell Arthur (R), Marreese Speights (R), Lester Hudson (R), O.J. Mayo (R)
Los Angeles Clippers
Injuries: Chris Paul, questionable for Game 1 with a strained left groin; Chauncey Billups, out for the season
Record: 40-26 (2nd in Pacific Division)
Record vs. Wolves this season: 1-3
Former Timberwolves on roster: Chauncey Billups, Randy Foye, Ryan Gomes, DeAndre Jordan
Upcoming free agents: Chauncey Billups (U), Reggie Evans (U), Randy Foye (U), Kenyon Martin (U), Bobby Simmons (U), Mo Williams (P), Nick Young (U)