The Timberwolves have long been eliminated from the NBA playoffs, and the Trail Blazers are locked in at the eight seedin the Western Conference. So the last day of the regular season means nothing to these guys, right? Well, not if you're Ricky Rubio or Maurice Harkless.
Both Rubio and Harklesshave serious cash on the line in Game No. 82. Let's starts with Harklessbecause a good performance for the fifth-year man out of St. John's means a cool $500,000in his pocket.
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Harkless needs to shoot better than 35 percent from 3-point range for the season in order to earn that check. He has only finished above that threshold once in his career, shooting 38.3 percent from deep in 2013-14 with the Magic.
Bonus watch heading into the last game:
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) April 12, 2017
$500k for the Trail Blazers Mo Harkless for 35.0% or above from 3.
Harkless is at 35.1%.
Harkless's 3P% would fall below 35% if he goes:
— Kevin Pelton (@kpelton) April 12, 2017
0-for-1 or more
1-for-4 or more
2-for-7 or more https://t.co/b3j3Rw2L1k
If you see Harkless hesitate on a few 3-pointers against the Pelicans, you'll know why.
As for Rubio, he'll need to stay above 40 percent from the field. The reward? An extra $100,000. It would mark Rubio's first season above 40 percent in his career.
@BobbyMarks42 Ricky Rubio’s bonus watch is somewhat interesting too :). Shooting 40.2%. A repeat of yesterday and he misses his $100K!
— Albert Nahmad (@AlbertRandom1) April 12, 2017
The Timberwolves face theRockets— in all likelihoodHouston's bench — Wednesday night. Don't be surprised if he's even more pass-happy than usual.
Get that money, fellas.