Timberwolves' potential playoff opponents down to five teams

The Western Conference playoff picture is slowly getting clearer

After Wednesday night's loss to the Nuggets the Wolves hold the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with just two games to play – and the list of teams they could face in the first round of the playoffs now excludes the Clippers and Mavericks.

Minnesota has locked up a top-3 seed in the playoffs and are battling with the Nuggets and Thunder for the top spot. Currently, Denver holds the No. 1 seed but Minnesota and Oklahoma City both sit just one game back. With all the Western Conference playoff teams locked in, let's take a look at the Wolves' potential opponents...

If Minnesota finishes with the No. 3 seed...

Should the Wolves finish with the No. 3 seed they'll play one of the Pelicans, Suns or Kings. Currently the Pelicans hold the No. 6 seed and sit half-game ahead of the Suns and 1.5 games up on the Kings.

Minnesota went 2-2 against the Pelicans this season, 1-2 against the Kings and 0-2 against the Suns with another matchup with Phoenix in the regular season finale on Sunday pending.

If Minnesota finishes with the No. 1 or 2 seed...

If Minnesota were to claim either the top spot or the No. 2 seed in the West, then their possible opponents open up. Including the aforementioned Pelicans, Suns and Kings the Wolves could also face the Lakers or Warriors.

The No. 2 seed will take on the winner of the play-in game between the No. 7 and No. 8 seed (currently Suns vs. Kings). The No. 1 seed takes on the winner of the second play-in game which pits the loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 against the winner of the No. 9 v No. 10 play-in game.

The Lakers are currently the No. 9 seed with Golden State holding the No. 10 spot. Both the Lakers and Warriors are locked in to playing in the play-in tournament.

Minnesota went 3-1 against the Lakers this season while winning all three games against the Warriors.