Minnesota Timberwolves ‘desperate’ to defend home court as Oklahoma City Thunder lead series 2-0
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The Timberwolves are led by Anthony Edwards, who is averaging 25 points and nine rebounds through the first two games of the series.
PHOTO: AFP
MINNESOTA – The Minnesota Timberwolves know that time is running out for them to make a run at the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals.
They will try to help their cause when they play the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals in Minneapolis on May 24 (May 25, Singapore time). The Thunder lead the best-of-seven series 2-0, and the Timberwolves need to defend their home court in order to avoid an abrupt end to the season.
“We’ve got to be desperate,” Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels said. “Every possession matters. Every game, everything matters. We’ve just got to be super desperate and play smart.”
Oklahoma City have relied on smart play to win the first two games. They rallied in the second half for a 114-88 victory in Game 1 before notching a 118-103 win in Game 2.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the Thunder with 34.5 points per game through two games, along with 8.5 assists and four rebounds. It has been a special week for the guard, who also brought home the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award. He praised his coach, Mark Daigneault, for leading the team and helping with his development.
“I’m going to be nice. Mark is insane,” Gilgeous-Alexander joked. “Now, he’s insane in the best way possible. He is so annoying with how particular he is with little things. He’s so focused on the things that matter, and he does not let those slip, no matter what.”
Meanwhile, the Thunder are eager to continue to force turnovers against the Timberwolves. Minnesota have committed 13 more turnovers than Oklahoma City during the first two games. “It’s really about what level of discomfort we’re able to put on the opponent,” Daigneault said.
“If that’s inefficient shots, or long possessions, or making them work for everything, or a turnover – we don’t really worry about what the outcome of those possessions are. We’re just trying to make sure we control what we can control.”
Meanwhile, on May 23, the irrepressible Indiana Pacers opened up a 2-0 lead over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals with a 114-109 win at Madison Square Garden.
The series now moves to Indianapolis with the Pacers in control after Pascal Siakam led them with a play-off career-high 39 points. He was well-supported, with all the Indiana starters making double figures.
Myles Turner put up 16 points while Tyrese Haliburton had 14 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds. Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard had 12 points each and T.J. McConnell added 10 from the bench. REUTERS, AFP
