NBA playoffs snack bar: Timberwolves Troinces Tonnter in Game 3

After two two-digit defeats at the start of the Western Conference Final, the Minnesota Timberwolves showed that they have the stuff to not only challenge, but also to completely close Oklahoma City by defeating Thunder 143-101 on Saturday evening and narrowing the series to 2: 1.

The Timberwolves took the lead in the first quarter with 34 to 14 and ran away. Minnesota had secured a lead of 42 points by the third quarter.

How did that happen? Minnesota shot 57.3 percent from the field to 40.7 percent from Oklahoma City. The Timberwolves shot 50 percent from 3 to 31.8 percent of the thunder. And Anthony Edwards scored 30 points for the 14 points of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander until both teams were invited to game 4 on Monday.

Donner has to crack a code again

For as much bunch and control like Oklahoma City, the exact opposite has been shown in this post -season – especially in games 1 and 2 against Minnesota.

The thunder slept into a fiery target center and an aggressive wolves defense that used a similar approach to the nuggets – the players held on the boxes and elbows and turned quickly to support all holes. Oklahoma City missed eleven of his first 15 game shots of the game and turned the ball over five times in the first six minutes. They never recovered, 45 points in the second half and ended the evening with only 35 for 86 from the field and 14 for 44 out of 3.

Daignault, who was desperately found after rhythm, went deep into his bank after playing 10 men at the beginning of the second quarter. But the thunder was simply unable to create a separation for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Jalen Williams, who had combined 7 out of 22 from the field. At the other end, a locked -up Anthony Edwards took control of the opening tip and took its way with 30 points in 30 minutes.

Game 3 would always bring a measure of desperation from a Wolves team that wanted to avoid a 3-0 deficit. The thunder could not contain several pressure waves from the beginning of the game and will now try to correct things in game 4.

Oklahoma City has to play faster in the half court. The Minnesota zone works over time to print ball traders and passing lanes, but the thunder does no favor by moving at half speed. In game 3, the wolves seemed comfortable to bring Rudy Gobert higher to meet Oklahoma City's guards, which should traditionally be an advantageous opportunity. This team is no stranger to the box-and-one zone, the nuggets used it regularly in the last round, and at some point the thunder broke the code. You have to do it again – and do a much better job with Edwards – to avoid an even series.

– Kelly Iko, NBA employee author author

Minnesota throws several defenders on the SGA

A change in the event location made the difference for the Minnesota Timberwolves, whose victory against the top seed against Oklahoma City Thunder introduced the conference final against the top seed victory in Oklahoma City Thunder.

Minnesota's victory could be the difference between overcoming a 2-0 deficit or trying to make the post-season impossible: returning 3-0.

The Timberwolves used a red-hot first quarter under the direction of Anthony Edwards (16 points in the opening frame) to take over the thunder of the worst loss of the season after Oklahoma City opened the series with a convincing 2-0 lead.

Edwards '30 points cited all the scorers when Minnesota also leaned on Julius Randle (24 points) and received 45 points from his reserve.

Shai Gilgeous-Aalexander had a team high and season low 14 points and achieved a series of five consecutive 30-point playoff games (bound Gus Williams' 1979 series for the longest in franchise history). SGAS nine missed shots (4-of-13 shooting) were more than twice his free attempts (four). He scored an average of 14.5 free throws in the games.

The Timberwolves relied on a number of defenders to give the newly crowned MVP difficulties, including Terrence Shannon Jr. The rookie wing contributed 15 points after six points in its first six playoff trips (20 points).

The 143 points of the Timberwolves presented a team playoff record of teams and hoped new life in their hope of achieving the first NBA final in franchise history.

– James Jackson, NBA employee editor

Wolves make perfect subtle adjustments

We often believe that most playoff adjustments have to be big, e.g. B. changing a defensive game, changing the list or providing a new pick-and-roll scheme. But as Minnesota has proven this evening, the best are often more subtle – and far more specific.

On the offensive, Anthony Edwards took slightly different perspectives from his pick-and-rolls. Instead of hurrying into her in a straight line to get downhill, as he did in game 2, Edwards took a step to the side or even backwards to ensure that he ran his own husband on the screen and gave himself an additional second to read the rest of the thunder defense. Start through wide and Then Edwards changed down and held Oklahoma City balanced, kept in balance and created more space for his elite pull-up 3.

“He increases so much when it comes to jumping shot, but it's pure.” pic.twitter.com/rjzmvc3ry2

– NBA (@nba) May 25, 2025

In defense, Minnesota went against what many experts made public, and gave Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams more Space on your drives. In the first two games, the Timberwolves had shirked too close to the stars of Thunder, so that Oklahoma City Minnesotas negate length advantage and – as you might have heard, stacked bushels with free throws. In game 3, Jaden McDaniels made the goal of hanging back a few foot from Gilgeous-Alexander, while he stayed on the balls of his feet to absorb the strong attacks by SGA. The wolves of the wolves in particular Rudy Gobert-Steigen first, but then switched on the floor when Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams accelerated. This change prevented the stars of Oklahoma City initiated physical contact, on which they thrown in games 1 and 2.

Now the thunder has to find a way to sneak more into the Defense area of ​​Edwards – and more into the rooms of the wolves of the defenders on the offensive.

– Mike Prada, Senior Editor from NBA

(Photo: Brad Rempel / Imagn Pictures)