Head coach Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Minnesota Timberwolves have almost assured themselves a place in the top 6 of the Western Conference, despite Sunday night’s loss to the Bulls at home. With play starting on Monday, Minnesota’s magic number to secure a top-six seed is down to one.

As per an official tweet from the NBA, a defeat by Phoenix on Monday night for New Orleans is all that is needed. If it doesn’t, the Minnesota Timberwolves, who visit the Rockets on Tuesday night, can handle their own business.

All things considered, it will not be long until the Wolves secure a place in the top six. They just need to defeat the Rockets on Tuesday night in Minneapolis’ Target Centre to finish the job themselves.

With eight games remaining, four teams compete for the fifth through eighth seeding, while the teams ranked one through three are separated by just one game. The Sacramento Kings (43-31) wasted a two-game series against the Dallas Mavericks that had the potential to vault the “Beam Team” into the top six, but that chance is still open.

Magic Number That Can Place Minnesota Timberwolves and Others in Playoffs

On Sunday, the Chicago Bulls concluded the month of March with a thrilling away game. It was a story of two halves, with the Bulls scoring well in the first half and seeming like they were completely giving up against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the final five minutes of the game in the second half.

Denver has the easiest remaining schedule of any conference club, giving them the inside road to the top seed in the West. Their last five games are against losing teams, albeit they still have to face the Minnesota Timberwolves and Clippers once each.

Eight games are remaining for Minnesota, and Denver, Phoenix (twice), the Lakers, and the Rockets are five of the toughest. The remaining three are opposed to the Hawks, Raptors, and Wizards.

Oklahoma City’s next six games are against the Celtics, Bucks, Mavericks, Kings, Pacers, and 76ers. The Spurs and Hornets are the team’s easiest opponents. The only thing that the Wolves require is to wish that the Pelicans lose their game and an easy path opens up to the Playoff.