Cards in the NBA: 2018 Playoffs are Here

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 2: Donovan Mitchell
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 2: Donovan Mitchell /
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Gorgui Dieng – C – Minnesota Timberwolves

Season statistics: 79 games played, 5.9 points, 4.6 rpg, 0.9 apg, 05. bpg

Playoff matchup: (#1) Houston Rockets

"Game 1 at Houston: Sun. April 15, 9 p.m. | TNT Game 2 at Houston: Wed. April 18, 9:30 p.m. | TNT Game 3 at Minnesota: Sat. April 21, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN Game 4 at Minnesota: Mon. April 23, 8 p.m. | TNT Game 5 at Houston (if necessary): Wed. April 25 | TBD Game 6 at Minnesota (if necessary): Fri. April 27 | TBD Game 7 at Houston (if necessary): Sun. April 29 | TBD"

After detailing the series between the  Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves Chinanu  on the previous slide, there’s not much reason to go into further detail. Minnesota has no shot.

One thing to watch in this series will be former Louisville big man Gorgui Dieng making his playoff debut. In his fourth season, Dieng has played for a Timberwolves team that hasn’t really come close to making the playoffs until this season.

In the second year of a $64 million contract extension Dieng received in 2016, the fifth year center  saw his minutes decrease significantly, going from playing 32 minutes per game, to just 17. The minute decrease caused Dieng’s stats to also dip quite a bit, going from averaging 10 points, 8 rebounds per night to just 6 points, and 4 rebounds.

Nevertheless, Dieng will still see minutes in the playoffs and is capable of putting up a double-double on any given night. However, after the season is over (should be in 4 games) don’t be surprised if the Timberwolves look to move on from Gorgui Dieng, who should be a starting center somewhere else in the NBA.

Prediction: Houston (4-0)