The Timberwolves open the NBA season Wednesday night in Portland against the Trail Blazers. Here are five keys to Minnesota's success.

The Timberwolves are taking aim at a breakthrough this season and begin the task on Wednesday night when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers. Minnesota was knocked out of the playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks two seasons ago and the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder last season. Both series were decided in five games.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are, for the most part, running back a team that reached the last two Western Conference finals. They furthered their commitment to the core around superstar Anthony Edwards by re-signing Julius Randle and Naz Reid to remain the next two scorers in the pecking order.

The Portland Trail Blazers are on the rise this season, even in the crowded Western Conference. Just-extended Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin made a s

For an entire generation of young NBA fans, the Western Conference being better than the Eastern Conference is all they've known. Since Michael Jordan retired-for the second and penultimate time-in 1998,

The Oklahoma City Thunder are pushing to repeat as NBA champions, but a loaded Western Conference could extend the NBA's era of parity at the top.