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Philippines, 26 May 2025 |
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Minnesota Timberwolves Rout OKC, 143-101, Get Back in the West Finals Series, 1-2 By Teodoro Medina Reynoso PhilBoxing.com Sun, 25 May 2025  Playing back at home, the Minnesota Timberwolves took control of the third game from the first quarter and never let up as they manhandled the West top seed Oklahoma City Thunder 143-101 early today. With the win, Minnesota got back to the Western Conference Finals pegging the series at 2-1 with another game set in Minneapolis Monday (Tuesday Manila time). Coach Chris Finch started Julius Randle with Anthony Edwards and Randle responded by starting the breakaway which Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Mike Conley expanded with big men Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid leading to a 34-14 lead in the first period. The Timberwolves didn't let up as even second stringer Terrence Shannon Jr initiated another breakaway in the second quarter while pressure defense limited the output of OKC main men led by current season MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander. Minnesota practically sewed up the game right in the very first period as it outscored OKC also in the second quarter 38-27 for a 82-41 half time lead. OKC started big with seven footers Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hertenstein playing together but it didn't take a minute before Coach Mark Daigneault realised that the strategy won't work as Minnesota's fast pace play and precision outside shooting dictated the tempo. On the other hand, Minnesota's strategy of crowding the driving lane and distracting OKC's outside shooting with physical defenders severely limited the Thunder's scoring opportunities Meanwhile, Randel and Edwards shoot and scored at will with Reid and Gobert outplaying both Holmgren and Hertenstein on both ends. So thorough was Minnesota's thrashing of Oklahoma that its bench even outscored the Thunder starters with Terrence Shannon, Jr. even outscoring Alexander 15-14. The Timberwolves lead went as high as 45 points at one point. With the outcome of the game virtually sealed in favor of Minnesota, OKC Coach Daigneault pulled out his regulars near the end of the third quarter and let his bench players finish the match. To Minnesota's credit, it also pulled out most of its regulars and allowed its bench to do the mopping up job. Edwards led the scoring parade for Minnesota with 30 points plus team high 9 rebounds. Randel scored 24. Shannon had 15 points while McDaniels and Reid scored 10 points each. Alexander still led OKC but only with 14 points, his lowest in the playoffs. Reserve Ajay Mitchell also had 14 while Jalen Williams had 13 points. Holmgren managed just 10 points. The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.  |
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