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USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Three ways the Timberwolves must evolve to get to NBA Finals
Three ways the Timberwolves must evolve to get to NBA Finals Show Caption Hide Caption Thunder storm past Timberwolves in WCF, punch ticket to NBA Finals The Oklahoma City Thunder looked as dominant as ever after closing out the Timberwolves 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals, trip to NBA Finals awaits. Sports Pulse The Timberwolves, for the second consecutive season, reached the NBA Western Conference finals. Yet Minnesota was dispatched, also for the second consecutive season, in five games, with relative ease. On one hand, it's a promising sign of consistency and achievement; it's not easy to get here, especially in the stacked West. This also marks the first time in franchise history that the Timberwolves have reached the conference finals in back-to-back seasons. But on the other hand, this could also be viewed as a marker of stasis, of plateauing, of struggling to break through to the championship stage. 'I don't think there's any larger perspective that we won't ever get back,' Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said Wednesday after the Thunder eliminated Minnesota in a 124-94 blowout. 'I don't assume that we will, because you've got to put the work in. But we were beat by the better team. You fight, you fight and you fight, but they played better — they're better. 'I'm not one of these guys that takes losses into the summer with me. We'll learn and we'll regroup but the better team won this series. I'm proud of our guys and our organization for getting here.' OPINION: No one will stop the Thunder from winning NBA championship OPINION: NBA's cycle of superteams has been dismantled. Owners wanted parity and got it. But the Oklahoma City Thunder — the youngest team in NBA history to advance to an NBA Finals — appear poised to be a dominant force in the West for years to come. This all prompts one obvious conclusion: the Timberwolves must evolve. How do they do it? Get Anthony Edwards more help In many ways, teams like the Thunder are a terrible matchup for Minnesota. Oklahoma City's defensive versatility, having players who can switch seamlessly on pick-and-rolls, make it incredibly difficult for Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards. Every time he touched the ball, the Thunder were physical, used their hands to slow him, got him off-balance and made him labor to get shots in the paint. 'I think in the league, the more handlers you have — especially with all the switching, and (the Thunder) with their gaps and stuff like that — you have to have guys that can go somewhere, break the paint, make a play,' Finch said after the game when asked what deficiency Minnesota might have on its roster. Finch did add that he was excited about the team and cited young players who 'didn't necessarily get the run that maybe they should have this season.' Though he didn't mention them by name, Finch presumably was talking about rookie first-round guards Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr., players who can operate with the ball in their hands. Coach Chris Finch needs to shake up the offense The first point feeds into this one. There were far too many times in the Western Conference finals when Minnesota's offense stagnated, when ball handlers tried to break through the first line of the defense while shooters merely stood in the corners, waiting for the ball to possibly come to them. It led to choppy, iso actions that often led to turnovers — the Timberwolves averaged 19.3 turnovers per game in losses in the series — and it prevented Edwards from settling into a rhythm. Finch must prioritize finding ways to get Edwards easier looks, developing undemanding offense that, in theory, should open up looks along the perimeter. Solidify future with Julius Randle, Naz Reid, Nickeil Alexander-Walker This will be the defining question for Minnesota. Randle, a player for whom they gave up a massive haul in the October Karl-Anthony Towns trade, has a $30.9 million player option this offseason. Randle will also turn 31 in late November. If he's looking for long-term security, Randle could opt out with the intention of signing a multi-year deal with Minnesota, or he could test the market. But, given their financial situation, the Timberwolves need to be careful about giving a player who's somewhat unreliable in the postseason a massive deal. But Minnesota absolutely needs a secondary scoring option behind Edwards. And the decision to trade Towns for Randle necessitates justifying the move with a contract. Complicating this question further: sixth man Naz Reid also has a player option this offseason, one worth $15 million. Defensive standout Nickeil Alexander-Walker is set to become a free agent. Not to mention, there's a new ownership group in town. What will that group led by Alex Rodriguez be willing to spend once the sale goes final? It's a tricky spot for the front office and the way it navigates this question will likely be the determining factor on whether Minnesota makes it back to another conference finals in the near future.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: How to watch Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Western Conference Finals tonight
The Minnesota Timberwolves are facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The Thunder were 2-0 in the series heading into Game 3, but the Timberwolves managed to pull off a huge comeback in Game 3 winning 143-101. Game 4 saw the Thunder back on top though, bringing the Western Conference Finals series to 3-1. Game 5 tips off tonight at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch the Timberwolves vs. Thunder series. Dates: May 28, 2025 Time: 8:30 p.m. ET (Game 5) TV channel: ESPN Streaming: DirecTV, Sling, Fubo and more All games in the NBA Western Conference finals between the Timberwolves and Thunder will air on ESPN, with the exception of Game 3, which aired on ABC. This year, the Minnesota Timberwolves will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals. All times Eastern. Winners in bold. Game 1: Timberwolves vs. Thunder; Tuesday, May 20 (8:30 ET, ESPN) Game 2: Timberwolves vs. Thunder; Thursday, May 22 (8:30 ET, ESPN) Game 3: Thunder vs. Timberwolves; Saturday, May 24 (8:30 ET, ABC) Game 4: Thunder vs. Timberwolves; Monday, May 26 (8:30 ET, ESPN) Game 5: Timberwolves vs. Thunder; Wednesday, May 28 (8:30 ET, ESPN)* Game 6: Thunder vs. Timberwolves; Friday, May 30 (8:30 ET, ESPN)* Game 7: Timberwolves vs. Thunder; Sunday, June 1 (8 ET, ESPN)* *if necessary
New York Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
How to watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 5 for free: Time, streaming
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. The Oklahoma City Thunder are just one win away from their second appearance in the NBA Finals. After dropping Game 3 to the Minnesota Timberwolves by nearly 40 points, the Thunder bounced back thanks, in part, to a 40 point game from NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He also contributed 10 rebounds and nine assists to the 128-126 victory. RELATED: Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 5 player props: NBA Western Conference finals best bets The Thunder can punch their ticket to the NBA Finals with a win tonight. The team in its current form has never won the Finals; their only appearance in 2012 was against eventual champs, the Miami Heat. As the Seattle SuperSonics, the team won just one championship in 1979. what to know about timberwolves vs. thunder Date and time: May 28, 8:30 p.m. ET May 28, Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Channel: ESPN ESPN Streaming: Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV (three days free) Here's everything you need to know about Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 5, including where to tune in without cable. What time is the Timberwolves-Thunder game on tonight? Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 5 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET tonight, May 28. The game will air on ESPN. How to watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder for free: If you don't have cable, you'll have to utilize a live TV streaming service to watch tonight's Timberwolves vs. Thunder game. One of our favorites is the Sling TV Orange plan. Though there's no free trial, you'll get 50% off your first month of the base plan, bringing the total down to $23 for the first month ($45.99/month after). You can also watch the game utilizing the three-day free trial from Hulu + Live TV. Timberwolves vs. Thunder Western Conference Finals schedule: Game 1: Thunder 114 , Timberwolves 88 , Timberwolves 88 Game 2: Thunder 118 , Timberwolves 103 , Timberwolves 103 Game 3: Timberwolves 143 , Thunder 101 , Thunder 101 Game 4: Thunder 128 , Timberwolves 126 , Timberwolves 126 Game 5: Timberwolves vs. Thunder – May 28 at 8:30 ET (ESPN) Game 6: Thunder vs. Timberwolves – May 30 at 8:30 ET (ESPN)* Game 7: Timberwolves vs. Thunder – June 1 at 8 ET (ESPN)* *Games 6-7 only if necessary Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping and New York Post's streaming property, Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she's also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews
New York Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 5 prediction: NBA Western Conference finals odds, picks
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. The offenses in the NBA Western Conference finals are clicking on all cylinders. On Monday night, the Thunder and Timberwolves combined for 254 points in a thrilling Game 4, which was the third-most of the 2025 playoffs. Oklahoma City has been scoring at will throughout this series, but it appears Minnesota has figured something out on the offensive end as well. The Timberwolves' 143- and 126-point performances in Games 3 and 4, respectively, are the highest they've had spanning this and last year's postseason runs, including back-to-back conference finals trips. Oklahoma City's defense is a juggernaut, but its defense will need to right the ship a bit in this one as well. The Thunder have scored at least 114 points in every game aside from their dud in Game 3, and are averaging more than 115 points per game in the series. If we're targeting the total, the Wolves are the team to be worried about. But it appears that the light bulb clicked on after scoring just 191 points combined through the first two games of the series. Anthony Edwards will need a big Game 5 to keep Minnesota alive. NBAE via Getty Images Over the past two games, the Wolves have dominated the league-best Thunder defense. In their Game 3 win Minnesota came out swinging and didn't let up, dropping 143 points. Betting on the NBA? That offensive success continued in Game 4 with 126 points, albeit in a loss. Their 3-point shooting has been the difference, averaging an excellent 46.9 percent from deep over those two games. Reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be headed to an NBA FInals berth with a win Wednesday. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect We can't expect the Timberwolves' offense to hum on quite that level, but I think we've hit the point in the series where both teams know what they want to do on the offensive end. The total is sitting around 216.5 at most major sportsbooks — these teams have hit the over on this number in three straight games, let's see if they can make it four. The play: Thunder-Timberwolves Over 216.5 points (-110, BetMGM) Why Trust New York Post Betting Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He's particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Timberwolves vs Thunder Game 4: TV, time, how to watch, odds
Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves will have to find a way to slow Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was named the 2025 NBA MVP. Through the first three games of the Western Conference finals, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 27.7 points, 7.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds vs. the Timberwolves. Minnesota is not only vying for its first NBA championship, the Timberwolves are also looking for their first NBA Finals appearance. The Thunder last appeared in the NBA Finals in 2012, but the franchise has not won an NBA championship in Oklahoma City. (The Seattle SuperSonics won a title in 1979 before the franchise was renamed and relocated in 2008.) The Thunder have one of the deepest teams in the league, but in the playoffs, rotations tighten and some reserves might not get as much playing time. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault preaches readiness regardless. "We try to create an environment and a culture of readiness, and part of the way that you do that, it's by throwing guys in the game," Daigneault said. "It's one thing to say, 'Hey, you got to stay ready.' It's quite another to put your money where your mouth is and throw guys out there and give guys opportunities. Especially like I said, if the game's not going the way that we want it to, we try to shake things up and try to see if we can ignite something. "Obviously we weren't able to do that the other night, but I think that sets a healthy tone for the team and the more you do that and the more the players see that, even if it's not their number getting called, I think it gets their attention and it reminds them that at any moment you could be called upon and they've done a great job of that. Usually when we do that, we get a pretty good lift from it." In Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, the Timberwolves committed 19 turnovers leading to 34 Thunder points. In Game 2, Minnesota had 14 turnovers leading to 22 Oklahoma City points. The Timberwolves lost both games. In Game 3 at home, the Timberwolves turned the basketball over just 10 times for 15 Thunder points and won. "Hopefully we've learned enough lessons, but they're really good," Minnesota coach Chris Finch said of the Thunder and their top-ranked defense. "They really force you into tight spots and they swarm you when they get there, so everything's got to be a little bit earlier than you're used to. ... "The faster we play, the quicker our decision-making is. The quicker our decision-making is, the better we are. When we get caught holding or surveying too long or probing or exploring things for ourselves too much, that's when we invite trouble. And this is what this team really thrives on. This OKC defense just feasts on that." Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder is set to start at 8:30 p.m. ET, on Monday, May 26. How to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: TV, stream Time: 8:30 p.m. ET 8:30 p.m. ET Location: Target Center (Minneapolis) Target Center (Minneapolis) TV: ESPN ESPN Stream: ESPN+, Fubo Watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 4 on Fubo Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 4 odds The Oklahoma City Thunder are favored to win Game 4, according to BetMGM. Odds as of Monday, May 26. Spread : Thunder -3.5 : Thunder -3.5 Moneyline : Thunder (-150), Timberwolves (+125) : Thunder (-150), Timberwolves (+125) Over/under: 218.5 Thunder lead series 2-1 The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news -- fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
