Timberwolves are underdogs in West Finals against Thunder. Here’s how they can win

Minnesota can now reclaim its preferred role of underdog After a series against Golden State which it entered as a favorite and grew to a near guaranteed victor after an injury the Timberwolves are heavy betting underdogs in the Western Conference Finals against top-seeded Oklahoma City The Thunder routed Denver - in Match of their conference semifinal on Sunday and will host Minnesota for Encounter of the West Finals at p m Tuesday Here s a look at the series Schedule Competition Tuesday May in Oklahoma City pm ESPN Competition Thursday May in Oklahoma City pm ESPN Challenge Saturday May in Minnesota pm ABC Meeting Monday May in Minnesota pm ESPN Tournament Wednesday May in Oklahoma City pm ESPN Match Friday May in Minnesota pm ESPN Championship Sunday June in Oklahoma City pm ESPN Regular season series The two teams tied a pair of matchups - Rudy Gobert played in just one of the games for Minnesota a loss on New Year s Eve Minnesota was down Gobert Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo for the final three matchups which were all played around the all-star break Timberwolves keys to mastery Ball control The one time Minnesota was fairly thoroughly beaten by Oklahoma City this season on New Year s Eve in Oklahoma City Minnesota turned the ball over times which led to Thunder points Timberwolves coach Chris Finch has repeatedly harped on the importance of not turning the ball over against the Thunder something Minnesota managed well in the other three matchups during the season Minnesota won two of those contests Oklahoma City led the NBA with the lowest turnover percentage and the highest opponent turnover percentage During the regular season the Thunder scored of their points off turnovers an NBA high That number has spiked to north of in the postseason Eight Denver turnovers in the second quarter Sunday sparked the start of the Thunder run that clinched that series Minnesota s defense could cause havoc for Oklahoma City in the half court but the Wolves will have to limit their giveaways to keep the Thunder from capitalizing in easy transition Win the -point battle Minnesota was fifth this season in -point makes The Thunder were sixth With the gravity possesed by each squad s star player Anthony Edwards for Minnesota and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Oklahoma City the role players for both teams figure to have numerous decent looks from the perimeter Those are likely the best scoring chances either side will generate in the halfcourt Both teams have lineups flush with guys who can knock down the triple But both teams have shown in the postseason that those others can run hot and cold from distance Whether it s a night where Lu Dort makes four -pointers or DiVincenzo could determine a contest Gobert games Gobert s impact has fluctuated for Minnesota throughout the postseason Minnesota s defense and rebounding is unquestionably better when the center is on the floor But there have been times where the opponent s ability to disregard Gobert without Minnesota making the defense pay with easy looks for the center inside has stalled out Minnesota s offense One way to beat Oklahoma City is on the glass The easiest way for the Wolves to do that is with Gobert on the floor But only if Minnesota can maintain a few semblance of offense in the process Limit Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the likely MVP this season But teams this postseason have exposed the best way to beat the Thunder is to force the ball out of Gilgeous-Alexander s hands That s what Minnesota did in its wild -point fourth quarter rally to beat the Thunder in February Minnesota trapped the star guard out of a zone and Gilgeous-Alexander s teammates failed to make outside shots If you can limit Gilgeous-Alexander s offensive output Oklahoma City struggles to put up enough points to put you away Prediction Minnesota in The Timberwolves have been to this point while this edition of the Thunder are making their first appearance on this stage It s easier to trust Minnesota s experience and ability to perform at a consistent level around its superstar at this juncture Oklahoma City Thunder s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dunks in the second half of Battle in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Denver Nuggets Sunday May in Oklahoma City AP Photo Kyle Phillips Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards right drives past Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort left during the second half of an NBA basketball encounter Tuesday Dec in Oklahoma City AP Photo Kyle Phillips