Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Let’s talk about why banking on Minnesota to deliver the highest-scoring quarter feels like a smart play here. For starters, it ties directly into the Timberwolves clearing that 104.5 team total – and honestly, Oklahoma City might be running on fumes after that grueling Game 7. Whether it’s the emotional hangover from surviving a playoff gauntlet or just plain exhaustion, the Thunder could come out a step slower. That fatigue factor? It’s real, and Minnesota’s well-rested squad is positioned to exploit it.

Now, pairing this with Naz Reid sinking at least two threes? Chef’s kiss. Sure, his playoff shot volume hasn’t been ideal – you can bet Coach Finch spent the week off drilling into him to let it fly. And why wouldn’t he? The man’s been money, hitting nearly 47% of his postseason threes on 4-5 attempts per game. Against OKC’s paint-protecting defense that stretches itself thin, Reid’s got the green light to rain down those catch-and-shoot daggers from the perimeter. Those makes don’t just add points – they force the Thunder to rethink their defensive shell, creating cracks for Ant and KAT to attack later.

This combo isn’t just stats on paper – it’s about matchup dynamics and fresh legs meeting worn ones. Minnesota’s set up to control the rhythm early, and Reid’s shooting could be the spark that lights the fuse.

Regardless of who gets the credit, the fact is that Golden State was ranked No. 1 on defense in the NBA in the second half of the season. Thanks to James Butler and Draymond Green, the Warriors improved their defense significantly after the break, making them better even than the Thunder.

Last round, in their final three games, the Timberwolves found a way to get past the defense. From late in Game 3 all through the start of Game 4 till the blowout took over in the final period, Minnesota put up 137 points. By Game 5, it had scored 121, allowing its players to take it easy in the fourth quarter thanks to a large 21-point lead late in the game.

For the last nine quarters and two minutes, the Timberwolves hit 35 of their 72 3-point shots which is 48.6%. The exception to how good they were occurred when they turned the ball over. It was an important issue, as the team committed 21 turnovers in all three games at the end.

Oklahoma City must be watched out for due to turnovers, so Coach Finch will focus on this point during the team’s rest. However, the offense seemed less shaky when they worked against the Trail Blazers’ defense.

Because Nikola Jokic wore everyone out in the first round, Minnesota might open Game 1 by playing fast.

In any case, the Thunder tend to get their opponents to take many 3-pointers — they were No. 3 after the All-Star Break, allowing those teams to attempt 46.2% of their shots from behind the arc. Taking this approach presents a big risk against the Timberwolves at the moment.