Laughing at Shai free throws

Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle each scored in double digits, however it wasn’t almost sufficient as their Minnesota Timberwolves had been blown out 114-88 by the OKC Thunder in Recreation 1 of the Western Convention finals Tuesday at Paycom Heart in Oklahoma Metropolis.

After a sluggish first half, the Thunder caught fireplace within the second, outscoring the Wolves by 30 and displaying off their depth, whereas largely neutralizing Edwards and Randle alongside the best way.

On the postgame press convention, Minnesota’s star pair, who mixed for 45 factors on 14-of-26 capturing together with 17 rebounds, laughed at a printed field rating, prompting followers to imagine they had been reacting to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s free throw numbers.

“Laughing at Shai free throw numbers,” one mentioned.

“They need that they had SGA’s all-time elite whistle,” one other mentioned.

Regardless of an inefficient 10-of-27 capturing night time, SGA nonetheless managed to get to the road 14 occasions, sinking 11. In distinction, the Timberwolves solely had 21 complete free throw makes an attempt, changing 15, with Anthony Edwards going 5-of-7.

Right here’s what others needed to say about Edwards and Randle cracking up on the stat sheet:

“They need to, boys didn’t do s**t,” one mentioned.

“Laughing at Rudy’s 2pts and three boards in 21 minutes lol,” one other added.

“Yea n***a 0 factors within the 4th is laughable,” one other mentioned.

A deeper have a look at the field rating confirmed eye-popping manufacturing from OKC’s starters: Jalen Williams notched 19 factors, eight rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals; Chet Holmgren delivered 15 factors, seven boards and two blocks; whereas Isaiah Hartenstein added 12 factors.

The Thunder additionally gained the bench battle 32-26 and dominated inside with a 54-20 benefit in factors within the paint.

The Timberwolves had a tough capturing night time at simply 34.9% and coughed up 17 turnovers. They had been additionally shut out on quick breaks, with OKC holding a 12-0 edge in that class.

Anthony Edwards fades in fourth as Recreation 1 slips away

Anthony Edwards had bother closing as Minnesota fully unraveled within the second half, getting outscored by 30 general. Within the fourth quarter alone, the place OKC surged 38-22, Edwards tried only one shot and missed it.

He completed with a game-worst minus-23 score in almost 37 minutes of motion.

Julius Randle got here out aggressive with 20 first-half factors however slowed down afterward, including simply eight extra to finish with 28 factors and eight rebounds. No different Timberwolves participant reached double figures.