The Thunder’s 143-101 loss to Minnesota in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday night was reminiscent of the Thunder’s rebuilding season of three years ago, when OKC suffered some historically-lopsided defeats. The Thunder’s 31-point halftime deficit (72-41) tied for the third largest in a conference final since 1971.
As you would assume, the report card was not pretty.
Game 4
OKC Thunder at Minnesota
7:30 p.m. Monday
ESPN, KYAL-97.1
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: F. Only four times all season had SGA shot worse than 31% from the field. And not at all this season had he scored fewer than 15 points. Then Gilgeous-Alexander did both in Game 3, making just four of 13 shots (.308) and scoring just 14 points, while being booed incessantly, apparently because of his abundant foul shots in the first two games. SGA seemed hesitant against the Timberwolves’ less-extended pressure. Minnesota defensive star Jaden McDaniels picked up Gilgeous-Alexander closer to the top of the key than to midcourt, which tended to keep SGA more in a box. He made just two 2-point shots, a first-quarter drive and a third-quarter 13-footer. Gilgeous-Alexander made just one of seven shots between 10 and 20 feet, which usually is his sweet spot. And SGA got just four foul shots.
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Starting lineup: C. If you’re looking for a bright spot, maybe this is it. Daigneault played his starting lineup just six minutes, the first six minutes of the game, and Minnesota outscored the Thunder just 13-9 during that time. After Daigneault subbed out Chet Holmgren for Wallace, Minnesota went on a 12-0 run and the rout was on. With the starters on the court, the Thunder made four of nine shots with three turnovers, and the Timberwolves made six of 12 with one turnover. It wasn’t quality basketball, but it was better than what followed.
Guarding AntMan: F. The Thunder had corralled Minnesota star Anthony Edwards quite well in Oklahoma, but not in Minneapolis for Game 3. Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, none slowed Edwards, who scored 16 first-quarter points, on 6-of-8 shooting. Edwards scored four points in the final minute of the first quarter, propelling the T-Wolves to a 34-14 lead and igniting the rout. That’s right; Edwards outscored the Thunder by himself in the first half. Edwards found open 3’s, drives to the hoop and points in transition. He finished with 30 points on just five misses (12 of 17).
Guarding Randle: D. Julius Randle had disappeared for six straight quarters, after reaching halftime of Game 1 with 20 points. He disappeared from the court in the fourth quarter of Game 2, with Minnesota coach Chris Finch keeping Randle on the bench. But Randle played a solid first half Saturday night, then energized the blowout with 10 third-quarter points. He finished with 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting. And it’s not like Randle bullied the Thunder. Only three of his nine baskets came from inside 10 feet. Randle continually found open jumpers.
Shooting: D. The Thunder’s shooting woes continued. OKC made just nine of 29 from deep before Mark Daigneault emptied his bench. The Thunder starters were a respectable 7-of-18, but the bench was off-target. The Thunder’s most reliable deep shooters, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, went a combined 1-of-8. Joe got much more run in Game 3, to enhance the shooting, but it didn’t work out. Joe missed all five of his deep balls.
Defensive pressure: D. Minnesota outscored the Thunder 16-15 in points off turnovers, which is the OKC bread and butter. It’s remarkable that the Thunder was that close, considering the Timberwolves committed just 10 turnovers to the Thunder’s 15. OKC was the NBA’s best team in turnovers committed and opponents’ turnovers. But Minnesota had just eight turnovers through three quarters. The Thunder’s energy and force was lacking from the start.
Rebounding: D. The Thunder missed 53 shots or reboundable foul shots. It grabbed only eight of those 53 misses. The Timberwolves missed 43 shots or reboundable foul shots. They grabbed 12 of those 43 misses. That’s upside down rebounding. OKC’s offensive rebounding percentage was 15.1%. Minnesota’s was 27.9%. The Timberwolves outscored the Thunder 20-7 on second-chance points .
berry.tramel@tulsaworld.com
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