The Oklahoma City Thunder are looking to extend their stellar playoff run. They’ll take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of their series at the Target Center. As it stands, the Thunder are up 2-0 in the series. With their trumped up positive buzz, they are heavy favorites to win the NBA Finals. This pairing will be a key to the series. Beyond that, it offers an interesting opportunity for players to cement their roles in the playoffs.
Ultimately, Jalen Williams has proven to be the most indispensable player for the Thunder. In his past five games, he averages an eye-popping 13.2 rebounding chances. As he enjoys more minutes on the court with the starters during the playoffs, his knack for crashing the boards has been essential. His prop for Game 3 is set at over 5.5 rebounds, which shows a lot of trust in his impact on the boards. Few players have made as big of an impact during this time as Chet Holmgren has. He averages 15.8 rebounding chances, displaying his all-around ability on the floor.
Isaiah Hartenstein, another key Thunder cog, has been seeing 13.4 rebounding chances per game over his last nine outings as well. Together, this trio has been instrumental in turning Oklahoma City into a rebounding juggernaut. Their contributions will be key as they go up against a formidable Timberwolves team.
Offensive Threats and Key Props
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is likely to be a key contributor in the next game as well. His length and foot speed have had eyes popping, though, and he could become an elite asset on both ends. As a sign of expectations for Alexander-Walker to step in and provide something at the offensive end, the prop for him is set at over 7.5 points. His utilization will be something to keep an eye on as he tries to maximize his talents while working to exploit the Thunder defense.
Naz Reid provides another wrinkle to Minnesota’s offensive game plan. His over on three made threes is +175 odds. This points to a possibility that he may be needed to stretch the floor. Reid’s increasing minutes suggest that the Timberwolves coaching staff is confident in his ability to deliver dynamic performances during critical moments.
As the Timberwolves head into Game 3, they can’t expect to continue giving free rein to OKC’s talented two-way wings. Beyond bringing a ton of offensive firepower, these players make an impact on the defensive end, creating problems for Minnesota’s scoring production.
Series Outlook and Player Impact
Now that the series stands 3-2 in favor of the Thunder, the Timberwolves are under intense first-game pressure to get it right. Anthony Edwards is going to have to set the tone if they want to come back in the series. Every player’s performance will be scrutinized. Their hope is to establish momentum working in the opposite direction against a Thunder team that has shown remarkable heart all postseason long.
The pressure is on for both squads as they face off in a crucial Game 3. The Thunder would like to Mercy Rule their way to a sweep. Conversely, the Timberwolves are trying to avoid elimination and turn the tide of this series. In this all NBA superstar playoff mediocrity, these are big battles, and every rebound counts. Every point will be critical in determining which squad goes the furthest into the postseason.
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