OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 of his 31 factors within the second half, and the top-seeded Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-88 on Tuesday evening in Recreation 1 of the Western Convention finals.
Gilgeous-Alexander made 8 of 14 discipline targets within the second half after a tough begin.
“I did not notably change my mindset, truthfully,” he mentioned, “I simply tried to proceed to be aggressive, belief my work.”
Julius Randle scored 28 factors for sixth-seeded Minnesota, however simply eight within the second half.
Anthony Edwards, who had been averaging 26.5 factors per recreation within the playoffs, was held to 18 factors on 5-of-13 taking pictures.
“I positively received to shoot extra. I took 13 f—ing pictures, however I am going to say in all probability simply get off the ball slightly extra,” Edwards mentioned. “Play with out the ball. I believe that might be the reply, as a result of enjoying on the ball, they’re simply going to double and sit within the gaps all day. So I’ve received to go watch some movie and take it aside and determine it out.”
Edwards mentioned the Thunder packed the paint, and he expects the Timberwolves to reap the benefits of that tactic going ahead. Recreation 2 is Thursday in Oklahoma Metropolis.
“They financial institution on us not making pictures, I assume, as a result of each time I’m going to the rim it is like 4 individuals,” he mentioned. “So yeah, I assume they only be clogging the paint. They put like 5, 4 our bodies within the paint, make you kick it out. So maintain making the appropriate play.”
Oklahoma Metropolis was simply two days faraway from eliminating Denver in Recreation 7 of the convention semifinals. Minnesota hadn’t performed in per week.
Minnesota led 48-44 at halftime as Randle scored 20 factors and made 5 of 6 3-pointers. Gilgeous-Alexander was held to 11 factors on 2-of-13 taking pictures earlier than the break.
“For us to play as poorly as we did offensively within the first half and be down 4 was a significant victory for us at halftime,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault mentioned.
The Thunder went on a 10-0 run within the third quarter to take a 66-60 lead. A short while later, Kenrich Williams, a rarely-used sub this postseason, hit a midrange jumper and a 3-pointer on consecutive possessions to place the Thunder up 71-62. Oklahoma Metropolis outscored Minnesota 32-18 within the third quarter to take a 76-66 benefit into the fourth.
A spinning dunk by Holmgren in site visitors put Oklahoma Metropolis forward 86-75 and drew a roar from the gang. Gilgeous-Alexander threw up a prayer as he was being fouled whereas falling to the ground. The ball rolled in, and he made the free throw to make it 91-77 with seven minutes remaining.
“It is Recreation 1,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch mentioned. “They gained at dwelling. Congrats to them. They performed very well. There’s one other recreation in two days.”
