The Minnesota Timberwolves had dispatched the favored Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors in five games, but they knew they hadn’t completed the job.
“Our goal is not to win eight playoff games,” Rudy Gobert said. “We’re halfway there.”
That sentiment comes from the top. After reaching the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the Kevin Garnett-led 2004 team, Chris Finch emphasized that they only got halfway to a championship. They couldn’t skip steps trying to get back to the Western Conference Finals after the Dallas Mavericks eliminated them in five games.
“The challenge we laid down to our guys from Day 1 was quite simple,” Finch said after the Warriors series. “Were you a Western Conference finals team? Or were you a team that just happened to make the Western Conference Finals?”
Anthony Edwards promised that the Wolves would return to the Western Conference Finals after losing to Dallas, and they made good on his proclamation. However, they still only have eight playoff wins and return to Minneapolis down 0-2 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“Every minute in the series is a chance to find something,” Finch said after the Wolves looked like they were still searching for answers in Game 2. “This is a good team, a good team at home, so we’re gonna go home and fight for Game 3.”
Typically, home teams get a better whistle, and role players struggle on the road.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander benefited from a friendly whistle in Game 1, drawing 13 fouls. He had nine in Game 2, but they felt more legitimate. Still, Oklahoma City and Minnesota had the same number of fouls (22) in Game 1, and OCK had two more (22 to 20) in Game 2.
Ultimately, Gilgeous-Alexander cashed in on his opportunities from the free throw line. He was 11 for 14 from the charity stripe in Game 1 and 13 of 15 in Game 2.
“It’s so frustrating to play this team because they foul a ton,” Finch said in February after the Wolves played OKC in back-to-back games. “They really do. They foul, they foul all the time, and then you can’t really touch Shai.
“It’s a very frustrating thing, and it takes a lot of mental toughness to try to play through it.”
Minnesota may get a better whistle at home, but they must ultimately focus on what they can control. That means avoiding frustration fouls, like Jaden McDaniels’ shoving Gilgeous-Alexander, and getting a full-team effort. The Timberwolves also need more from their bench to even the series.
Game 1:
Naz Reid: 4 points (1-11 FG, 0-7 3PT), 8 rebounds, 4 assists in 28 minutes
Donte DiVincenzo: 9 points (3-14 FG, 3-12 3PT), 1 rebound, 2 assists in 30 minutes
Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 8 points (3-11 FG, 3PT), 2 rebounds, 0 assists in 28 minutes
Game 2:
Naz Reid: 10 points (3-8 FG, 0-5 3PT), 8 rebounds, 0 assists in 28 minutes
Donte DiVincenzo: 8 points (3-8 FG, 2-6 3PT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists in 22 minutes
Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 17 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 3PT), 2 rebounds, 2 assists in 25 minutes
Alexander-Walker played well in Game 2. However, the Wolves need two of their three leading bench players to play in Games 3 and 4 to even the series. However, it’s not just the role players. Edwards was 5 of 13 for 18 points after rolling his ankle in Game 1; Randle only had six points in Game 2
“I got to get myself into actions, get myself on the move,” said Randle, who sat out the fourth quarter. “We know what type of defense they are. They’re going to swarm you. So I got to get myself into actions, setting screens, on the move. I think I was just standing and spectating a little too much today.”
Vegas had Oklahoma City as -375 favorites entering the series, and the sportsbooks favor the Thunder (-3) in Game 3 at Target Center.
OKC separated itself from the Western Conference pack in the regular season, finishing with 68 wins. The Timberwolves must prove they can beat Oklahoma City with a full-team effort. Otherwise, Occam’s razor is that the Thunder are by far the better team.
If Minnesota reaches the Western Conference and fails to advance in back-to-back years, they’ll face a tougher question next year. Are they only good enough to get halfway through the playoffs? And if so, what do they do to change that?