Thunder and Timberwolves Set for Showdown in the Western Conference Finals
As the Western Conference finals loom, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves are the last teams standing in the West, each with hopes of making a long-awaited appearance in the NBA Finals. For the Thunder, this is an opportunity to return to the grand stage they last reached in 2012. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are still chasing history, seeking their first-ever trip to the NBA Finals.
An Electrifying Season for the Thunder
The Thunder have been the West's powerhouse team this season, securing the top seed with an impressive 68 regular-season victories. Their journey so far has been marked by a dominant first-round sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies. However, the Oklahoma City team faced a formidable challenge in the second round from Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets. It took a decisive Game 7 win to secure their spot in the conference finals, showcasing the leadership and scoring prowess of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The presumed NBA MVP led the charge, posting 35 points on 12-of-19 shooting in that crucial game.
Timberwolves Poised for Redemption
The Minnesota Timberwolves, on the other hand, are eager to overcome last season's conference finals disappointment. They fell short against the Dallas Mavericks in 2024, losing in five games. This time around, the Timberwolves have been a force to be reckoned with, sporting an 8-2 record in these playoffs. Anthony Edwards has been the driving force behind their success, propelling Minnesota past notable opponents like the Lakers and Warriors. After dropping the first game against Golden State, the Timberwolves rallied, winning four straight as Stephen Curry missed games due to a hamstring strain.
Schedule and Betting Odds
Looking ahead, fans can anticipate a thrilling series, with each game offering high-stakes action. Here's the complete schedule for the Western Conference finals:
Game 1: Tuesday, May 20 | Timberwolves vs. Thunder | 8:30 p.m., ESPN/fubo
Game 2: Thursday, May 22 | Timberwolves vs. Thunder | 8:30 p.m., ESPN/fubo
Game 3: Saturday, May 24 | Thunder vs. Timberwolves | 8:30 p.m., ABC/fubo
Game 4: Monday, May 26 | Thunder vs. Timberwolves | 8:30 p.m., ESPN/fubo
*Game 5: Wednesday, May 28 | Timberwolves vs. Thunder | 8:30 p.m., ESPN/fubo
*Game 6: Friday, May 30 | Thunder vs. Timberwolves | 8:30 p.m., ESPN/fubo
*Game 7: Sunday, June 1 | Timberwolves vs. Thunder | 8 p.m., ESPN/fubo
As the series kicks off, the odds favor the Thunder, with DraftKings listing them at -330 to win the series, while the Timberwolves are at +265. For Game 1, the Thunder are also favored by 7.5 points, and the over/under is set at 214.
With everything on the line, both teams are geared up for what promises to be an electrifying clash. As we wait for Tuesday's Game 1, the anticipation is palpable, and the stage is set for a Western Conference finals that could go down in history.