Is the Timberwolves expected to defeat the Thunder? Huazi needs to connect with the team, and control mistakes are the top priority!

The first match between the Timberwolves and the Thunder is about to begin. The Timberwolves has never reached the finals since its establishment. The Thunder has had an experience in the finals. In the 11-12 season, the Thunder has three MVPs, Westbrook, Durant and Harden. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers and Warriors 4-1 in the past two rounds of the series; the Thunder swept the Grizzlies 4-0 in the past two rounds of the series, and then Mi Zhan defeated the Nuggets in seven games.

Who will win a good start?

The Thunder in the regular season had 38.8 shots outside the three-point line, with a three-point shooting percentage of 37.4%, and their three-point efficiency ranked sixth in the league. Statistics show that in four matches with the Timberwolves, the three-point shooting percentage dropped to 35.6%, which is lower than the league average. In only one of the four games, the three-point shooting percentage was 54.2% (10 of 19 shots), while the other three games were 33.3%, 24.1%, and 30.6%.

The Timberwolves in the regular season have 39.9 attempts outside the three-point line and 37.7% three-point shooting percentage. The Timberwolves have done better than the Thunder in terms of shooting numbers and hit percentages. However, in the past two rounds of the series, the Timberwolves' three-point efficiency has been poor (the three-point shooting percentage is only 35%). Can the Timberwolves play an advantage outside the three-point line?

Data shows that in the match between the Timberwolves vs. Thunder, Edwards became the scoring champion in two games, and the Timberwolves lost the goal. In the opposite two games, the Timberwolves won the goal. Edwards' assists in four games were 8, 7, 7, and 2 times. It is obvious that the Thunder will focus the defense on Edwards.

The Thunder have excellent defensive resources. Jaylen Williams, Dort, Caruso, Wallace, and have the ability to use completely different defensive strategies against Edwards. If the Timberwolves want to defeat the Thunder, Reed, Randall, and McDan, they must give Edwards help on the offensive end.

In addition to Edwards' performance, there is another main factor affecting the Timberwolves' battle, that is, the number of mistakes. So far in the playoffs, the Timberwolves have averaged 13.4 turnovers per game, which is only better than the Grizzlies, Pistons, Heat, and Nuggets. All three teams except the Nuggets have been eliminated in the first round.

As we all know, the Thunder are the team that averages the most steals per game (10.6), the best at fast break (20.1 points per game), and the best at scoring by mistakes (24.1 points per game). Although the Timberwolves have done a good job in steals (4th in the league in 8.1 average), fast break (4th in the league in 14.9 points per game), and the second in the league in 18.5 points per game, however, in terms of turnover data, the Timberwolves (5th most in the league in 13.4 averages per game) cannot match the Thunder (the fewest in the league in 10.7 averages per game).

The Timberwolves are not impossible to defeat the Thunder. In addition to whether Edwards can play dominant power, the most important factor is controlling the number of mistakes.