The Western Conference Finals matchup is set, and it will see Oklahoma City taking on Minnesota. The winner of this series will head to the NBA Finals. In the East, we know that New York and Indiana will go head-to-head. Minnesota will have almost a week off after eliminating Golden State in five games. Oklahoma City will have a quick turnaround after blowing out Denver in Game 7 at home. The Thunder have been the best team in the league throughout the entire season. Many thought that the youth of the Thunder would hinder a championship run. Aaron Gordon and his injured hamstring couldn’t stop this team even if he were healthy. Minnesota has arguably been the best defensive team throughout the playoffs. Can the top seed Thunder reach the NBA Finals with this young core? Will Minnesota finally get the chance to play for an NBA title?
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City last played in the NBA Finals back in 2012. They had the young core of future Hall-of-Famers in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. They have another young core of players that has taken the league by storm. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is favored to win league MVP. This would make the third MVP that Oklahoma City has produced in their young existence. Luguentz Dort and Jalen Williams are great on both ends of the floor. Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein for a twin towers that can defend. We know Alex Caruso is one of the better defenders in the league, but did you see the job he done on Jokic? Oklahoma City has a bench that can also get buckets and there’s not really a fall off. Can they put it all together for one more series and advance to the NBA Finals?
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves franchise has never advanced to the NBA Finals. They have had solid players in the past like Kevin Garnett and Kevin Love. They almost reached that point a season ago, but they fell to the Dallas Mavericks. They made a trade in the offseason that sent Karl Anthony-Towns to New York for Julius Randle. Many people talk about the Karl Anthony-Towns part, but Randle has been solid. You can say that Julius Randle carried them in their series against the Warriors. The Timberwolves are solid on defense, and it’s manned by Rudy Gobert. Gobert is a multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year. Anthony Edwards is their most talked about player and deservedly so, but they have a great team. Can they finally get over that hump and reach the NBA Finals for the first time?
Will the Thunder or Wolves Advance to the NBA Finals?
These two teams split their four games this season. The series will focus on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards. They are two of the best, young players in the league and in the running as the new faces. Gilgeous-Alexander is about to be named league MVP, and many are calling Edwards the new Jordan. The Timberwolves will throw multiple defenders at Gilgeous-Alexander. Oklahoma City will also throw several defenders at Edwards also. Who will step up for the Thunder? How about for the Minnesota Timberwolves? Rudy Gobert will have to avoid foul trouble, and Julius Randle will need to continue his run. Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren will need to keep Gobert off the boards. This should be an entertaining series between these two teams. It will be six or seven games and I’m going with the Timberwolves to finally head to the NBA Finals. Minnesota Wins Series 4-2
What do you think about this series? Who do you have winning it? Who do you want to win it? What do you think about my pick? Leave some feedback regarding anything as Oklahoma City meets Minnesota.
