The Western Conference Finals sees a face-off between Oklahoma City Thunder, the top-seed, and Minnesota Timberwolves, the proverbial underdogs at sixth-seed. The crucial Game 3 is due to take place at Target Center, with the game starting at 8:30 p.m. ET, and broadcasted on ABC. The Thunder are currently dominating the series with a 2-0 lead, having managed a split 2-2 during the regular season.
Game 1 turned out to be a show of strength from the Thunder, as they defeated the Timberwolves comprehensively with a score of 114-88. This demonstration of prowess on the court continued into Game 2, where the Thunder once more emerged victorious with a robust 118-103 win, solidifying their leading position in the series.
No discussion of these games would be complete without acknowledging the outstanding performance of G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Basking in the glory of being named league’s MVP just a day ago, Gilgeous-Alexander was the top-scoring player with a remarkable 38-point haul. To reach this score, he achieved an impressive 12-for-21 field goal success rate, sank 13 of 15 free-throws, and contributed 8 assists to his team performance.
The Thunder were far from being a one-man show though. F Jalen Williams offered a noteworthy performance with 26 points and 10 rebounds, supported by Chet Holmgren who contributed 22 points. Suffice to say, these successes have helped the Thunder maintain a winning streak in the playoffs, with each victory boasting a margin of at least 15 points.
The Timberwolves were not without good performances, despite their defeat in Game 2. G Anthony Edwards was the team’s top scorer, hitting 32 points. However, he had a rough game from the three-point line, converting only 1 of 9 attempted shots. Consequently, the Timberwolves’ overall shooting performance was below par, with a team average of 41%, and a low 28% success rate in their 3-point attempts (11-for-39).
Looking into the odds between the Thunder and the Timberwolves, there’s currently no report of significant injuries on either side. This paints a positive picture for both teams, as they can showcase their full strength on the court. But based on the performances till now, a prediction leans towards a close game, with Timberwolves possibly getting ahead with a score of 108-104.
So far, the Thunder’s performance in this series has been dominating. Their excellent record on the road this season, which includes the playoffs, stands at an intimidating 35-10. Their defensive strategies have been a game-changer, allowing only 98.4 points per game in the 10 postseason games they’ve won.
On the other hand, the Timberwolves have shown signs of struggle recently, with their defensive form starting to wane. They have conceded more than 110 points in their last four playoff games, a stark difference from their performance in the four prior where they managed to restrict their opponents under 100 points.
Notably, the first two games of this series marked the Timberwolves’ first consecutive defeats since March — and they have avoided a triple defeat streak ever since January. This shows the Timberwolves’ resilience but also indicates the mounting challenge they face in this series with the Thunder.
The betting fact-sheet reveals that Minnesota has only managed to cover the spread in a total of 3 games throughout this season, an insight that matters to betting enthusiasts. The current 2.5-point spread suggests a likely win for the underdogs, indicating it might be more advantageous to back the Timberwolves to win outright.
One way the Timberwolves could turn the tables is by focusing on scoring accuracy. Only two of Minnesota’s last eight games saw a total point tally that exceeded 217. By increasing their goal conversion rate, especially from the three-point line, they might stand a chance to upset the Thunder.
Similarly, while the Thunder have displayed dominant performances so far, four of their last seven games haven’t reached a total point tally of 218. Therefore, they should not become complacent but continue to strive for a balance between their formidable defense and an efficient attack.