2020 Western Conference Finals Preview: (3) Timberwolves vs. (4) Clippers
nba.com/timberwolves/beat | May 17th, 2020
MINNEAPOLIS – For the first time in sixteen years, the Minnesota Timberwolves have reached the Conference Finals. It’s the first time in Los Angeles Clippers history they have reached the Finals, which means both teams are vying for their first NBA Finals in franchise history. Had you asked me at the start of the season what the Western Conference Finals matchup would have looked like, I would have laughed at the prospect of a Clippers-Timberwolves series. Both teams are solid, there’s no doubt about that. Minnesota downed the Golden State Warriors and the Clippers shocked the NBA by sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers. These teams aren’t a joke. They have a legitimate shot at an NBA championship. The additions of
D’Angelo Russell,
Malik Beasley and
Kelly Oubre Jr legitimised the Timberwolves, disbanding the label of the motley crew of misfits. Minnesota finally has a cornerstone to build from.
Karl Anthony-Towns remains the face of the team. He may not have been the offensive juggernaut against the Golden State Warriors but, the center played excellent on defense, routinely coming away with 20 rebounds a game. He’s silently put together a formidable defensive performance this postseason while
D’Angelo Russell and
Kelly Oubre Jr have stolen the spotlight with their high-scoring acts. For Los Angeles, the addition of
Kawhi Leonard has been the move their franchise so sorely needed after
Chris Paul and
Blake Griffin could never get it done in Hollywood. All eyes will be on the health of Leonard, who exited game 3 of the their Semifinals contest against the Lakers. Still, the Clippers managed to sweep the Lakers without their key powerhouse player.
The Timberwolves may have faced their most difficult obstacle this season – overcoming Golden State’s home court, which has been so good to the Warriors the past several seasons. In four games in Golden State this season, the Timberwolves went 3-1. Their game five in San Francisco was a turning point in the series and set up the elimination game – which Minnesota came through and dumped the former champions out of the playoffs. Will Minnesota’s gameplan differ against LA? Not particularly, not when they do it so well. Shooting from the arc and raiding the paint is what Minnesota has done best all season long. Minnesota will rely on
D’Angelo Russell organizing the offense through first phase. Russell has average seven assists per game throughout the playoffs and has been nothing short of amazing on the offensive side of the court. He’s averaging 25.7 points per game and was the star of the show against the Warriors. He’s superior to
Patrick Beverley in almost every category. If Russell has a dominant series, the Timberwolves could wrap this one up quickly.
Karl Anthony-Towns has offensively been quiet through the playoffs, his points per game has decreased to 19.1 from 25.0 during the regular season. He’s countered that with some amazing defensive performances this postseason. He’s averaging more rebounds than points. Yes, let that sink in. The wildcats
Malik Beasley and Kelly Oubre Jr[/B] round out a very potent shooting duo. Beasley is the sharpshooter will Oubre is so good from the mid-range. Oubre has also played well on defense and did so against the Warriors. Defense wins championships, but you can’t get there without your offense and with these Timberwolves, their offense is so potent they may as well not field a defense.
The Clippers. All eyes will be on
Kawhi Leonard this series. He’s been rushed back from his sprained ankle in game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers from the Semifinals. Outside of Leonard, there’s no superstar on the roster. They’re just a team of very good players who fit well into the system at hand. Never underestimate it. Los Angeles did and
LeBron James will be watching the NBA Finals from the confines of his sofa for a second consecutive season. This team reminds me of the Dallas Mavericks which toppled the All-mighty Heat of the 10’s.
Marcus Morris is good for 11 points a game,
Louis Williams is the sixth man who can give you around 15 points per night.
Reggie Jackson is one of the best bench players in the NBA and
Paul George is still an excellent all-round player for the Clippers, although his poor 3-point shooting (.217%) this postseason won’t scare Minnesota if they leave him deep. The Minnesota Timberwolves are the highest scoring team in the league this postseason, the Clippers allow the fewest points per game (92.1). They also have the highest point differential (12.9) in the postseason. The Clippers were so good on defense, they’ve allowed the third fewest field goals attempted per game (81.4), while Minnesota allowed 115.0 (the most and by far [20]). The Clippers don’t shoot a lot but when they do, they are accurate. They’ve shot 49.4% from the field which leads the NBA this postseason. Minnesota loves to distribute the ball around, these Los Angeles Clippers don’t. They have the least amount of assists per game (20.6) this postseason. One of the reasons is they force turnovers. They produce 8.3 steals per game and force 5.7 blocks per game, which is third most.
In terms of experience, Los Angeles trumps Minnesota significantly. The Clippers starting five’s average age is 29 with 3 players older than 30. Minnesota’s average is 23, with all five players under 25. Naz Reid is 20 and is a rookie. Minnesota is the overwhelming favourite in this one, despite the series going 1-1 and the Clippers dismantling the Lakers in four games, whom the Timberwolves swept. Pound for pound, the Timberwolves have a better starting five and it’s not even close. Though, as already stated, the Clippers just click and make it work. This series shouldn’t last for more than six games. If LA are to win, they’ll likely need seven games to do so. Either way, the Western Conference will have a new representative in the NBA Finals. Neither Minnesota nor Los Angeles has ever gone to the Finals, which is exciting. They’ll face either the Toronto Raptors or the Philadelphia 76ers, who last appeared in the NBA Finals way back in 2001. In a time of powerhouse basketball through free agency, a return to upstart teams with Cinderella seasons is a welcome sight.
♦ 2020, February 29 --- MIN @ LAC --- Kawhi Leonard dominates as Timberwolves finish off disastrous February: This was the month where it all came undone for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who went 3-5. Their poor performance after the All-Star break forced them down to the 7th seed by the time April rolled around. Despite shooting a higher % from the field and scoring twice as many 3s, the Timberwolves threw away a fourth quarter in which they were outscored, 42-25. Leonard was a demon this game, scoring 44 points and coming down with 11 rebounds off the glass while shooting 18 of 33 from the field. Paul George (16), Louis Williams (14), Reggie Jackson (13), Marcus Morris (11) and Paul Beverley (10) all contributed double-digit points in their comeback win. We will have to wait until game 3 to see the Timberwolves on the road in Los Angeles again. They totally unravelled against the Clippers and allowed 52 points in the paint. One of the reasons why the Timberwolves lost was their free throw shooting (7/24) of 29%. That was awful. Their fouling also got them into trouble and bit them on the scoreboard, with LA going 22 of 25 from the interior. Kelly Oubre Jr led the Timberwolves with 29 points in a losing effort. Karl Anthony-Towns also scored 29 points and came down with 20 rebounds.
♦ 2020, April 1 --- LAC @ MIN --- Minnesota embarks on six-game win streak to secure postseason berth: The Timberwolves were dangerously close to never reaching the postseason. Their statement victory at home against the Clippers led them all the way back up to the third seed. Despite the Clippers taking a 22-20 first quarter lead, they wouldn’t be able to hang on as Minnesota’s defense came to play, conceding just 88 points while their offense enough to secure 112 points. Karl Anthony-Towns led the Timberwolves with 32 points and 22 rebounds while D’Angelo Russell hit 4 of 8 from deep to help give him 25 points. Kawhi Leonard couldn’t replicate his reverse contest form, scoring just 12 points as he went cold from beyond the arc (0-3). Paul George led the Clippers with 21 points but also went 0 of 6 from 3-point range. It was a recurring theme that night. The Clippers just couldn’t get any three’s to go. They went 6 of 27 in that department. That’s poor and they can’t have a poor shooting night against Minnesota, as their high-powered offense will force the regret. This game fuelled the path to the postseason for Minnesota.
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