Series Thread: Western Conference Finals: (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (6) Minnesota Timberwolves

[thunderc]

I will say that I am very interested to see how the Thunder rebound the basketball, it wasn’t great against Denver. There were way too many 3 and 4 chance possessions. That’s a key to the series for me.

 

[trojanfan12]

Folks having some reading and comprehension issues this morning.

Points in the paint isn't the be all end all of playing in the paint.

In fact, I never said anything about points in the paint.

 

[trojanfan12]

I will say that I am very interested to see how the Thunder rebound the basketball, it wasn’t great against Denver. There were way too many 3 and 4 chance possessions. That’s a key to the series for me.

Which would mean exactly what I said, "if the Thunder are vulnerable anywhere...it's in the paint". Getting extra shots and limiting the opponent to 1 or 2 shots on a possession is part of playing in the paint.

The Wolves beat the Lakers and the Warriors on the boards, leading to those extra shots. If Gobert gets a rebound and throws it out to someone who hits a 3...that's not points in the paint...but it's still play in the paint.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Which would mean exactly what I said, "if the Thunder are vulnerable anywhere...it's in the paint". Getting extra shots and limiting the opponent to 1 or 2 shots on a possession is part of playing in the paint.

The Wolves beat the Lakers and the Warriors on the boards, leading to those extra shots. If Gobert gets a rebound and throws it out to someone who hits a 3...that's not points in the paint...but it's still play in the paint.

Yep.

 

[DJ Fieri]

It's the playoffs, refs tend to swallow their whistles more. I think it's likely to get a bit physical and that, imo, favors Minny.

Wolves in 6.

The Wolves are really good at bully ball....

 

[thunderc]

The Wolves are really good at bully ball....

Did people not see the Nuggets complaining about the physicality of the Thunder?

 

[thunderc]

Which would mean exactly what I said, "if the Thunder are vulnerable anywhere...it's in the paint". Getting extra shots and limiting the opponent to 1 or 2 shots on a possession is part of playing in the paint.

The Wolves beat the Lakers and the Warriors on the boards, leading to those extra shots. If Gobert gets a rebound and throws it out to someone who hits a 3...that's not points in the paint...but it's still play in the paint.

Minny is not Denver in the paint though, the numbers just don’t back that up. Let’s get this going, I look forward to seeing the Thunder with their legs under them now playing more like they did in the regular season.

 

[trojanfan12]

The Wolves are really good at bully ball....

That's the key, imo. They were able to play bullyball vs the Lakers and Warriors. If they are able to do the same vs the Thunder, they can win the series. If they can't...it could be a short series.

 

[thunderc]

Ok I have to make a prediction I guess. Thunder in 5.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

Minnesota will struggle to keep up. OKC will likely have one average to below-average offensive output performance, and Minny will get a win because of that. Other than that, I see OKC just totally overwhelming Minnesota

I’m going with Minny in 6, for the franchises first ever NBA finals trip !