The Oklahoma City Thunder achieved a transcendental triumph for 128-126 in the field of Minnesota Timberwolves to take 3-1 advantage in the western conference finals and place at a single victory of its first NBA finals since 2012.
The Thunder will have their first match ball this Wednesday in Oklahoma City, and even losing that meeting and the next in Minnesota, They would have a new option in the hypothetical seventh, again at home.
The Thunder have wind in favor, against some Wolves who have never traced a 1-3 in a series of 'playoffs' in the four precedents.
El MVP Shai Gilgelous Alexander He achieved the best performance of his career in the 'playoffs' with 40 points (13 of 30 in field shots), nine rebounds and ten assists. He connected twelve of his fourteen free, including a five of six in the last seconds that ended up being key to defending the advantage.
Jalen Williams also shone with 34 points, three rebounds, five assists and three robberies, with six triples. Chet Holmgren contributed 21 points, seven rebounds and three caps. The native of Minneapolis was the protagonist in the final section of the duel with a great cap to Jaden McDaniels.
OKC's defense deactivated a Anthony Edwards that did not go from 16 points (5 of 13 in field shots and 1 of 7 in triples) and a Randle which only put five (1 of 7 in field shots and 0 of 3 from the arc).
Jaden McDaniels signed 22 points and the Wolves bench walked down with 64 points in totalfor the 27 of the Thunder, but every time the locals tried to overcome, OKC found answers.
OKC pride reaction
They proudly reacted the Thunder after the humiliation of last Saturday, when they lost for 42 points of difference, and made it taken by the hand by Gilgeous Alexander y Jalen Williamswho touched perfection in the first period with thirteen points each.
Gilgeous Alexander already took 21 points to the break, Willams added fifteen and Holmgren, ten, for OKC, who touched 50 % of success in shots. The Thunder took to the locker room an advantage of eight points after an aggressive performance on both sides of the track.
The difficulties of the Wolves summed up with the modest performance of Edwards, who only took two shots (1 of 2) and only took four points to the break. Julius Randle, who had also offered a recital in the triumph of the third period, Nor did it have a good time and did not go from the five points.
If the Wolves did not pick up the score was a merit of their bench, which contributed 30 of the 57 points of the team in the first half. Nickeil Alexander Walker shone from the arch, with a three of three leaving the bench.
Minnesota clung to his options and balanced the clash again with a good beginning of the third quarter, in which he sealed a 10-2 partial to place himself to a point, before matching in 79-79. However, with a blunt Alexander, OKC closed the upward period and a great MVP entrance gave five points to visitors in 85-90.
A fourth high voltage period was opened, with a spectacular shock exchange. The Wolves gave everything, but OKC maintained an amazing scoring rhythm.
The trio SGA (11), Williams (14) y Holmgren (9) He scored 34 of the 38 points of the Thunder in the last segment.
MVP was practically allincluding spectacular assistance after slipping, sending the ball below McDaniels's legs, which Williams turned into a triple.
OKC sent 116-109 at that time with 3.30 in the stopwatch, but he had to win the triumph from the free line in a high voltage end, in which Gilgeous Alexander put five of six and gave his team a victory that leaves them to a step away from the finals.
