BSP-02 Timberwolves win NBA draft lottery to gain top overall pick

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BSP-02

BASKET-NBA-LOTTERY-TIMBERWOLVES

Timberwolves win NBA draft lottery to gain top overall pick

LOS ANGELES, Aug 21, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The Minnesota Timberwolves snagged
the number one pick in the upcoming NBA draft on Thursday, winning the
lottery ahead of the Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors, just one season removed from a run of five straight finals
appearances that yielded three titles, garnered the second overall selection.

The Warriors finished last in the Western Conference after a season marred
not only by the departure of Kevin Durant but by injuries to Stephen Curry
and Klay Thompson.

As the teams with the worst three records in the season, Minnesota, Golden
State and the Cleveland Cavaliers each had a 14 percent chance of winning the
first overall pick.

Cleveland, however, fell to fifth as the Charlotte Hornets, owned by league
icon Michael Jordan, rose from eighth in the pre-lottery odds to earn the
third overall pick.

The Chicago Bulls will pick fourth followed by the Cavs, Atlanta Hawks,
Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, San
Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans and Boston Celtics.

The last time the Timberwolves had the first overall selection, they
drafted franchise star Karl-Anthony Towns, taking him instead of another
highly touted newcomer Jahlil Okafor.

This season’s potential top picks include guard LaMelo Ball, who most
recently played in Australia and whose brother Lonzo plays for the Pelicans,
University of Georgia star Anthony Edwards and University of Memphis standout
James Wiseman.

BSS/AFP/GMR/0838 hrs