Timberwolves lead series 3-1
Series odds: Timberwolves -5000, Warriors +1600
So much awesomeness crowds the highlight queue in this postseason, but let’s not forget that Game 4 ice-cold Anthony Edwards halftime heave any time soon. It was, in his view, a Stephen Curry disciple moment.
Let’s not also forget how we as a public lambasted Julius Randle for his clutch-time struggles. Randle’s paltry playoff reputation was absolutely earned coming into this spring. That blockbuster October surprise to Minnesota may have been the much-needed correction. Randle put up a triple-double for the Timberwolves in Game 3, then followed with an efficient 31 points on Monday. He’s at 23.8 points per game on 48.3 percent shooting in his nine playoff games, now 48 minutes from his first-ever conference finals.
Edwards and Randle have been a dynamic 1-2 scoring punch, but Minnesota wouldn’t be in this spot without lights-out two-way work from Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid. Through four games, Reid has almost as many made 3s (10) as missed ones (11), while McDaniels boasts the best offensive rating and the best plus-minus on the team.
To seal the deal, Minnesota will try to get out in transition and nullify the Warriors’ zone defense. Edwards has been a ferocious full-court blitzer in the second half of these games, and the supporting cast really opens up late when he goes to the rim.
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NBA Playoffs picks, odds, schedule for Wednesday: Knicks, Timberwolves seek conference final berths