The Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back in a big way in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals as they led the Minnesota Timberwolves for nearly the entire game, holding on late for the 128-126 win to take a 3-1 lead in the series. Now the Thunder has a chance to close out the series at home, earning their first appearance in the NBA Finals since 2012 and just the second in franchise history.
Oklahoma City has looked dominant through the first two games against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but it might be unrealistic to expect the same thing in Game 3 in Minnesota. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has played just like an MVP should, and Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren both rounded out solid performances in Game 2, making the Thunder’s big 3 look unstoppable. The Timberwolves aren’t going to go quietly into the night, though.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Western Conference Finals Game 3 Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves
Based on the last two games, a spread this small seems like a given. BUT, this is Game 3, not Games 1 and 2. The Thunder just needs to win the game to cover this spread, and while the odds are certainly in OKC’s favor to win the series, that doesn’t mean they’re going to sweep the Timberwolves. Still, I can’t help but think Oklahoma City will win this one a day after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named to his third consecutive All-NBA First-Team and Jalen Williams to his first All-NBA Third Team.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Given Slight Edge in Game 3 Over Timberwolves in Minnesota
The Oklahoma City Thunder went through plenty of learning experiences in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Denver Nuggets, and that all came to a head in Game 7 as the Thunder overcame an early 11-point deficit to blow out the Nuggets 125-93 in OKC. Now the Thunder has another massive test as they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, starting with Game 1 in Oklahoma City.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Western Conference Finals Game 1: Minnesota Timberwolves