The Minnesota Timberwolves play host to the Brooklyn Nets at Target Center on Monday.

The Nets (36-17) suffered one of the most baffling losses of the season on Saturday, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers, 126-101. That blowout loss looks even more shocking when you see that LA was missing LeBron James and Anthony Davis. That makes it hard to understand, but it simply looks like a blip on an otherwise spotless radar. Before that defeat, Brooklyn won 22 of their previous 26 games. That marvelous stretch has them tied for the top-seed in the Eastern Conference, and it's hard to imagine them finishing anywhere but at the top. What makes this run even more amazing is that they've been doing it with numerous injuries. Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving have only played a few games together, and it's scary to think what they could look like with all three fully healthy. Durant is actually the only one who will suit up here and that's going to make him a busy man!

The Timberwolves (14-40) come into this matchup losing nine of their last 13 games. That is a terrible stretch, but it's sadly been a common trend all season long. They currently own the worst record in the NBA, and, sadly, this club keeps falling deep down the standings. What makes it even more shocking is that they have Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and D'Angelo Russell on this roster. That's an excellent young core, and it's hard to understand why the losses are flowing so easily. One has to believe it's a culture thing at this point, and fans have to hope KAT is willing to stick around long enough for things to change eventually.

These teams just played on March 29, with Brooklyn prevailing, 112-107. That snapped a five-game winning streak from the Timberwolves, dating back to 2018.