Thunder vs. Timberwolves: OKC limits Anthony Edwards, gets 40 from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to secure Game 4 thriller

Oklahoma Metropolis’s Recreation 3 hangover is a factor of the previous.

The Thunder’s lively protection and environment friendly offense returned to kind Monday evening in a 128-126 thriller over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Recreation 4 of the Western Convention finals. With the win, Oklahoma Metropolis bounced again from a blowout loss in Recreation 3 and secures a 3-1 sequence lead, one win away from a berth within the NBA Finals.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder effort with a profession playoff-high 40 factors. Anthony Edwards managed simply 16 factors for the Timberwolves. The Thunder could have an opportunity to clinch the sequence at residence in Recreation 5 Wednesday evening.

Energetic Thunder arms give Timberwolves matches

Oklahoma Metropolis set the tone early whereas forcing seven turnovers en path to a 37-30 lead on the first-quarter break. Edwards did not try his first discipline aim till 35.1 seconds remained within the quarter. It was an indication of issues to return as Edwards and Julius Randle light with an opportunity to tie the sequence.

Minnesota saved in putting distance, because of an offense that was efficient when it wasn’t giving the ball away. The Timberwolves shot 51.2% from the sector and 18-of-41 (43.9%) from 3 for the sport.

Robust taking pictures from Nickeil Alexander-Walker (23 factors, 5 of 8 from 3) and Donte DiVincenzo (21 factors, 5 of 8 from 3) off the bench saved the Timberwolves within the recreation via the fourth quarter. However a resilient Thunder offense and 21 Timberwolves turnovers finally proved an excessive amount of for Minnesota to beat.

Thunder thwart a number of Minnesota runs

Minnesota confronted a number of possibilities to take the lead in a recreation Oklahoma Metropolis managed all through. A DiVincenzo 3 capped an 11-2 third-quarter run to tie the sport at 79-79. However as they did every time the Timberwolves threatened, the Thunder responded, this time with an 8-0 run to re-seize management.

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Minnesota threatened once more late within the fourth quarter whereas closing the hole to 111-109. However the Thunder prolonged the lead again to 116-109 with a 5-0 burst capped by a Jalen Williams 3 on a go by a falling Gilgeous-Alexander via the legs of Jaden McDaniels.

Then Gilgeous-Alexander scuttled Minnesota’s final gasp with 5 made free throws within the recreation’s ultimate 14.5 seconds. The Thunder repeatedly denied the Timberwolves a have a look at a game-tying late 3-pointer by sending Minnesota to the free-throw line in a technique that paid off.

Thunder stars shine

Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Chet Holmgren set the tone for Oklahoma Metropolis’s offense. Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander scored 13 factors every within the first quarter, and so they mixed for 36 factors on the halftime break.

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Gilgeous-Alexander completed with 10 assists and 9 rebounds alongside his 40 factors. Williams tallied 34 factors, 5 assists and three steals. Holmgren added 21 factors, 7 rebounds and three blocks as a two-way power whereas hitting a number of large buckets down the stretch.

It added as much as a formidable effort from OKC’s stars that Minnesota’s prime gamers didn’t match.

Thunder lock down Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle

Edwards’ lack of exercise on offense was not an accident.

OKC designated stopper and first-team All-Defensive staff choice Luguentz Dort spearheaded the Thunder effort to restrict Edwards’ appears that resulted in simply two shot makes an attempt and 4 factors from him earlier than halftime. He was a non-factor on offense as Oklahoma Metropolis took early management of the sport.

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When it was over, Edwards had tried simply 13 discipline targets whereas totaling 16 factors and 6 assists. He shot 5 of 13 from the sector and 1 of seven from 3.

Randle was even much less of an element whereas posting 5 factors and 7 rebounds on a 1-of-7 evening from the sector. He missed all three of his 3-point makes an attempt.

That led McDaniels to select up on the slack because the beginning unit’s main scorer with 22 factors. It was his and the hassle of Minnesota’s bench that saved the sport from being a runaway Thunder win.

Followers proceed to taunt SGA with ‘free-throw service provider’ label

As common, Gilgeous-Alexander did vital work on the free-throw line whereas drawing repeated fouls from Minnesota defenders.

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At one level after he drew a foul by Rudy Gobert, ESPN’s Doris Burke quipped, “This is why he’s called a free-throw merchant.”

Timberwolves followers, conscious about Gilgeous-Alexander’s penchant for drawing fouls, greeted him with chants of “free-throw merchant” when he was on the line.

In the long run, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 12 of his 40 factors on the free-throw line. His 14 free-throw makes an attempt accounted for two-thirds of Oklahoma Metropolis’s 21 as a staff. Fittingly, he closed the sport by scoring Oklahoma Metropolis’s final 5 factors on the stripe.

And he addressed the label in his postgame information convention.

“In terms of the label, I don’t care,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated. “I never cared. … I’ve shot more free throws in a season than I did this season.

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“I think because we’re on the top of everybody’s radar, it’s a little more noticeable and now people care about it. I kind of see it as a compliment.”

Large bounce-back from Recreation 3 dud

Oklahoma Metropolis bought this far whereas posting a number of the most dominant wins of the postseason, together with a 51-point win over the Memphis Grizzlies and a 43-point win over the Denver Nuggets.

However after cruising to a 2-0 sequence lead over the Timberwolves, the Thunder have been on the fallacious finish of a blowout in Minnesota’s beautiful 42-point win Saturday evening that marked the worst playoff loss in franchise historical past.

However that loss appears merely like a blip for a Thunder staff that regarded very a lot once more like one of the best staff in basketball on Monday evening.