West Final X Factor: Reid, Dort, Randle
The versatility of Naz Reid, the defense of Lou Dort, and the possibility of Julius Randle’s discrepancies could shape the Western final.
For the Oklahoma City Thunder, the eruption came in the second half.
Thunder beat the Minnesota Timber Wolves 30 points to win a 114-88 victory after halftime in Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Finals on Tuesday.
Thunderguard’s most valuable player candidate, Shai Gilgauss Alexander converted 14 free throws, but led all players with 31 points on 27 shootings.
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards was scared of injuries when he fine-tuned his ankle at the end of the first quarter, but he returned to the game and finished with 18 points.
Here are the winners and losers of Game 1 on Tuesday night in the Western Conference Finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder:
Shy Gilgaus Alexander in the second half
This was the pattern of Gilgeous-Alexander, one of the more consistent players in the NBA. Even when he’s bad at first half, he usually corrects the course and advances to a steady 30-point game. The SGA went 8/14 in the second half, scoring 20 of the 31 points after the break. He was offensive, attacking the Timberwolves with paint and reached his preferred spot with his elbow for a mid-range shot.
Compare that to his figures in the first half when Gilgauss Alexander shot two-thirds off the field. Minnesota was successful to some extent with Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards defending Gilgauss Alexander in the first half, but both got into foul trouble. Finding a more effective way to stop SGA is important for the rest of the series.
Ken Rich Williams and Small Ball in the third quarter
Thunder coach Mark Deinu came up with a fantastic adjustment in the half. As Minnesota got a massive contribution from Julius Randle, who scored 20 of the 28 points in the first half, Deannee chose to play a small lineup and advocate Kenrich Williams at Randle. Williams was barely playing in the second round with the Denver’s Nuggets, but he used his size and physicality to irritate him with Randle’s.
Randle didn’t score one point in the third quarter, so the Thunder outperformed the Timberwolves 14 points, and OKC’s run began to clean up the game.
Thunder will roll through in the second half
Oklahoma City closed out the defense in the second half and began watching the shot fall. The Thunder surpassed the Timberwolves 70-40 in the second half.
Minnesota throws away paint
In the first half, they weren’t right out, but the Timberwolves shot the ball finely from the boundary and shot 10/28 (35.7%) from 3-point range. Minnesota, who took a four-point lead during the break, avoided putting the ball in paint.
In the second half, things fell apart when three seconds stopped dropping. The Thunder was extended to the third quarter, with the Timberwolves responding to keep the rim closed in three seconds. In the second half, Minnesota shot 21.7% from 3. Overall, the Thunder outperformed the Minnesota 54-20 in paint.
Timberwolves bench
In most cases, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch has rotated eight people, with Naz Reed, Donte Divinsenzo and Nikkil Alexander Walker having three from the bench. On Tuesday night, they struggled from the field and struggled to provide meaningful and consistent contributions. The trio paired 7/36 (19.4%) from the field and 3 to 28 to 28 (17.9%).
