The Minnesota Timberwolves sent a loud and clear message that they won’t take the beatings lying down, inflicting one of their own in Game 3, as Tim Legler saw a clear difference in approach that set the tone.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, flying high after securing their home court with two wins with a combined margin of 41 points, received a brutal reality check.
The Minnesota Timberwolves inflicted a 42-point beatdown on them, winning 143-101 in arguably the most surprising result in the Western Conference playoffs so far.
Julius Randle continued his domination while Anthony Edwards joined the party, but ESPN expert Tim Legler noticed the Wolves doing something different from the very beginning of Game 3 that they didn’t in Game 1 or 2.
The Timberwolves lost the first two games heavily and yet, somehow, the scoreline didn’t say how easy it was for the Thunder to steamroll them.
Therefore, it is all the more surprising that the Wolves, even armed with the homecourt advantage, inflicted this loss on the championship favorites.
Legler said that it happened because the Wolves brought the swagger, desire, and energy from the very first whistle in Game 3.
He credited one player for his role in setting the tone and ensuring the whole team was in a relaxed state of mind after a hot start.
He said: “I just thought that there’s an appropriate level of energy you have to have against Oklahoma City. I didn’t see that in Games 1 and 2. That meant there was no swagger there.
“The swagger was there from the beginning in Game 3. Their best player came out and got them started in that game, Anthony Edwards [16 points in the first quarter]. That set the tone for the entire team.”
While Legler has deciphered the energy level contrast perfectly, the game state has as much to do with it as the Thunder’s weakness or the Wolves’ strength.
The Thunder naturally took their foot off the pedal for this game after securing a 2-0 lead, while the Wolves were fighting for their lives and protecting their home court.
It was always going to lead to a drop-off in effort levels for the Thunder and vice versa for the Wolves.
Now that they’ve hung such an embarrassing loss on the Thunder, they’ll have to be ready for the inevitable reaction.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s team has always reacted well to setbacks this season and they will surely come out firing in Game 4, itching to get one back.
If the Wolves hold off that barrage, then it will be anybody’s game in the remaining three despite the Thunder holding home advantage.
