Minnesota Timberwolves desperate to defend home court as OKC Thunder lead series 2 0

MINNESOTA – The Minnesota Timberwolves know that time is running out for them to make a run at the NBA Finals.

They will try to help their cause when they play the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals in Minneapolis on May 24 (May 25, Singapore time).

The Thunder lead the best-of-seven series 2-0, and the Timberwolves need to defend their home court in order to avoid an abrupt end to the season.

“We’ve got to be desperate,” Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels said. “Every possession matters. Every game, everything matters. We’ve just got to be super desperate and play smart.”

Oklahoma City have relied on smart play to win the first two games. They rallied in the second half for a 114-88 victory in Game 1 before notching a 118-103 win in Game 2.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the Thunder with 34.5 points per game through the series’ first two games. He is also averaging 8.5 assists and four rebounds per game.

It has been a special week for the guard, who also brought home the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award. He praised his coach, Mark Daigneault, for leading the team and helping with his development.

“I’m going to be nice. Mark is insane,” Gilgeous-Alexander joked.

“Now, he’s insane in the best way possible. He is so annoying with how particular he is with little things. He’s so focused on the things that matter, and he does not let those slip no matter what.

“And it doesn’t matter if it’s raining outside, sunny outside, I just had 100 points, I just had two points. He holds me to a standard that never wavers.”

The same is true for Gilgeous-Alexander’s teammates. Jalen Williams is averaging 22.5 points and Chet Holmgren is scoring 18.5 ppg in the