But a lot of this series will likely come down to role players. The Wolves’ first three (and often only three) players off the bench are Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (cousin of Shai, in a fun subplot). Those three averaged close to 35 points per game in the regular season, but that has dipped to about 25 in the playoffs. DiVincenzo and Alexander-Walker, in particular, must shoot the ball better than they did in the first two rounds — something Chris Hine talked about in breaking down the series on Tuesday’s Daily Delivery podcast.
Will Oklahoma City get out and run, or can the Wolves limit turnovers while dictating the pace?
The Thunder are an aggressive defensive team (too much so for Finch’s tastes, as noted) and their defense fuels their offense. OKC opponents turned the ball over an average of 17 times per game during the regular season, most in the NBA. A Wolves weakness at times is sloppiness with the ball. They got away with it against an overmatched, Steph Curry-less Warriors team last round. They likely can’t survive a deluge of turnovers against Oklahoma City. They will want to slow things down and play a composed half-court game.
Can the Wolves use their edge in playoff experience to their advantage?
Imagining the Wolves as the more seasoned team in a playoff series is a new thing, particularly in comparison to some of the veteran-laden teams they have faced during during back-to-back postseason runs. But this is their fourth straight year in the playoffs, and they have built up repetitions, scars and triumphs that the Thunder are still acquiring. OKC looked particularly vulnerable during important closing stretches of a grueling seven-game series against Denver. The Wolves might find an edge in the final minutes of games, and they will probably need to use it to win the series.
Will fatigue or rust be the Game 1 deciding factor?