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00:00:00Knocks down both
00:00:0511 points at OKC with 40 points here in the first half
00:00:09We've raved about the Thunder defense and deservedly so but the Minnesota defense has been sensational here in the first half Edwards
00:00:17tried to slam and
00:00:19Drew the foul as Edwards and Lou Dort look at each other and jaw bit
00:00:24weren't one of the outstanding defenders
00:00:26Come on now Mike watch how fast this happens. He turns the corner and is off his feet in a split second
00:00:34If you have no choice, but to foul or you're gonna get dumped on those are two strong dudes right there going at each other
00:00:43I'm gonna be really honest DB in that moment. You don't eat you just go for the arm
00:00:47I'm gonna you just go for the arm. You're not gonna get the ball
00:00:49You missed the ball because he brings it so far back
00:00:52You just make sure that you don't give up an and one of that great playoff foul there by Lou door
00:00:58This is the second home run runs down the rebound Edwards harassing him
00:01:08Are they getting Jaden McDaniels pushing up a pressure there? I think the clock yeah. Yeah clock malfunction
00:01:23It was Alexander racing up the floor fires inside Williams couple of fakes and backs at all
00:01:32Shot clock turned off no fouls to give here for OKC
00:01:36Oh
00:01:46Randall hold on Randall's been the start of first half knocked away by Williams
00:01:50He's got plenty of time goes inside. Let him missed it. Isaiah. Joe misses it for the foul
00:01:58With one point seven remaining
00:02:00We keep talking about it in that game seven versus Denver
00:02:05Seven players on Denver had two or more turnovers. They put pressure on
00:02:10Everybody not just the best players and we talked about it already DB
00:02:13If you turn your back versus this team if we know it they better figure it out quick three fouls on Randall
00:02:20That's the 11th turnover for Minnesota. They had seven of them in the first quarter
00:02:26Isaiah Joe good hustle to follow up the miss from general Williams
00:02:30He's got a lot of pressure on him
00:02:42Two of the best defensive teams in the NBA
00:02:46Even at low scoring here in game one
00:02:52Time to get off the shot Edwards placed at three quarters court
00:02:56That will end the first half
00:02:58In the first half a slugfest here in the opening two quarters of this Western Conference final
00:03:05Anthony Edwards have the ankle turn. We're back to the locker room return to hunt some big buckets
00:03:11These two teams fighting for a right to go to the NBA Finals
00:03:16Julius Randall continues his hot play on the road halftime here in game one. It's the Timberwolves with a four-point advantage
00:03:24The
00:03:27NBA Western Conference finals presented by AT&T
00:03:30brought to you by Google
00:03:33sponsor of the NBA and Marvel Studios the Fantastic Four first steps only in theaters, July 25th
00:03:54As they race to watch the ESPN playoff broadcast of the National Basketball Association
00:04:01Will the Fantastic Four make it to the Baxter building in time for tip-off will family dinner get cold
00:04:09Keep watching the Western Conference finals to find out
00:04:14Welcome back to Western Conference finals
00:04:16It's presented by AT&T game one and a four-point lead for the T-wolves as we're about to start the fourth
00:04:23Defense the headliner in the first two quarters
00:04:25That's part of our first half stats brought to you by ESPN bet the official sports book of ESPN
00:04:31Once Minnesota stopped fouling Shea Gildress Alexander their defense on him was special and it's usually a team effort
00:04:39In that instance. No, it does a great job individually. No, it does a great job, but it's not can you do it for a quarter?
00:04:45Can you do it for a half?
00:04:46Can you put together a full 48 minutes against Shea Gildress Alexander?
00:04:51And that's going to be the challenge limiting your turnovers and making sure you make it difficult on him
00:04:57This is the shot chart and obviously the three-point shot for Shea has been a struggle for much of the playoffs
00:05:03He was three for four in game seven
00:05:05But every one of these shots that you're seeing almost all of them might were
00:05:09Contested and what much what makes SGA so of such a great player how efficient he normally is
00:05:15So he clearly wasn't meanwhile in Minnesota Julius Randolph is just playing spectacular basketball
00:05:20No, he's played a spectacular first half and what makes it even more impressive
00:05:23There was a five or six minute stretch where Anthony Edwards was in the back. Not only did he carry his team?
00:05:29He increased the lead while Anthony Edwards is out. Those were huge minutes by Julius Randolph
00:05:36This this Timberwolves team their playoff tested. This is their sixth series in the last two years
00:05:43I said earlier they've won six they've obviously won four, but this is their sixth series that they've played in in two years
00:05:49Meanwhile Jalen Williams pulls up the Daniels really denying SGA, but that's the first trigger you pull there, right?
00:05:56They're pressuring SGA. So you're gonna let Jalen Williams run your offense and get Shea off the ball
00:06:04Edwards pulls up line drive in and out bear had it lost it, but he was fouled
00:06:09As we send it to Lisa's alters and I remark they will said he thought that that his team was just a little bit of out
00:06:15of rhythm
00:06:16Offensively, he said defensively. He thought they were pretty decent
00:06:19He said we gave up 48 points when Julius Randolph was shooting like that. So he felt like he they did pretty well
00:06:24He said our defense kept us in it. We were only down by four at the end of the half
00:06:28That's the good news
00:06:28He said offensively
00:06:29We've just got to be a little earlier with our passing or spacing has to be a little better
00:06:33He said with the style of this team versus the style of Denver a lot different
00:06:37They were just figuring it out, but we've got to figure it out quickly
00:06:40I'm Stein wants a
00:06:42Lots of Flaker does Edwards just falls on Gilda's Alexander. That's three fouls on Edwards
00:06:55Hey down by four after all that like a bad offense you have all right
00:06:59I just I mean a control of things we can take care of active spacing needs to be better
00:07:03Let's run out ahead of the ball get into windows or cut right early passing needs to be better
00:07:09Regulate we have to walk worse and then the energy plays on this in this ball, right?
00:07:13Somebody give us some juice right now
00:07:22Considering how much they struggled offensively to be only down for yes
00:07:27Shea and Jalen Williams a combined four for 21 and it's only a four-point game coming out at half
00:07:34Oh
00:07:35Williams that's a wide-open look
00:07:38Knocks that down
00:07:41He's an all-star for the first time and when they're sending that much defensive attention in the direction of Shea Gilda's Alexander
00:07:47This young man has got to answer the call
00:07:54Really was the catalyst in the second quarter of game seven after a slow start by OKC against Denver
00:08:00Connelly misses home to the rebound
00:08:03And I love this let Jalen bring it up take some pressure off Shea let him work off the ball
00:08:09William jump shot can't get that to go Minnesota, by the way
00:08:13They've taken 46 shots
00:08:1531 of them are threes. Oh, they have and they're aggressive with the three-point
00:08:21They've made a lot of three-pointers, but there is still a lot of meat on that bone
00:08:25Gilda's Alexander with a steal as Gobert turns it over
00:08:29As
00:08:32GA trying to find a spot instead finds Holbrook easy bucket with Chet Holbrook, but that's what I'm talking about
00:08:38He'd be with Chet Holbrook. He just has to slow down a little bit. He's so tall
00:08:43He's so grifted the OKC crowd is feeling it
00:08:48Connelly using the offhand the lefty wise drops him in with the right. Why is he rushed in your opinion rich?
00:08:53Well, it's just you're a young player. You're trying to get to your spots, you know, again, he's got all the skills
00:09:01Look like fell down there pretty hard right there
00:09:03But that's what happens when you're a young player. Sometimes at these moments you want to do well, you're trying to rush
00:09:08You're trying to find those moments
00:09:11Longer a little shake it up
00:09:14The Daniels his third foul and here look you catch it there. Take your time. You ain't got a rush
00:09:19Get that space go up with the right hand hook
00:09:21No one will block that right hand hook and this to me changes the game for him
00:09:26He he showed this early this season before he went down with the injury the off the bounce game and the passing
00:09:33It's gonna change what he can do as a dynamic offensive player
00:09:37Sometimes his impact goes under the radar when you have a gilded Alexander
00:09:42Will you have the emergence of the Jalen Williams and here in the plebs? He's their leading rebounder and shot blocker
00:09:47He's their third leading scorer averaging just under 16 points just under 10 boards
00:09:52He's one of the best shot blockers throughout the playoffs of anybody
00:09:59Knocks down both
00:10:01And who is going to show up for that, Minnesota bitch two for 19 when you look at Nasri deep in Chendo and Walker
00:10:09Finally kicks it out. Nick Daniels pulls up jump shot. That's good
00:10:17You
00:10:24Daniels
00:10:27Making it difficult to build as Alexander gets inside pulls back. He stumbles a bit
00:10:34SBA with a bit of a look when he comes up on a chance for a three-point play
00:10:40So we talked about the 19 minutes where he wasn't at the free-throw line
00:10:44But this guy is one of the best in the game at just this his footwork
00:10:49Six foot six. I wouldn't call him blazingly fast
00:10:53So his footwork that hard plant to the step-back separation is what gets him a great look and on the clothes
00:11:01the contact happens
00:11:05And chance of MVP that announcements gonna come soon
00:11:09Of course between Gilgis Alexander and Nicola Jokic it would be Gilgis Alexander's
00:11:15first MVP award
00:11:17That's the case
00:11:19completes the three-point play
00:11:21And for the Thunder this is actually their largest lead of the game
00:11:29Minnesota led by as many as nine
00:11:31I
00:11:35Randall's door picks him up on the switch
00:11:38Connelly
00:11:41Gilda's Alexander picks up his first
00:11:47So Connelly is going to go to the line the 37 year old in his 18th year in the NBA
00:11:55And I feel like Conley has had a couple of opportunities. He's missed some bunnies in the lane
00:12:00I'd like to see him aggressive if you're just watching and Edwards and Julie's Randall work. That's going to be an issue
00:12:07He's 104th playoff game tonight
00:12:09Which is his third conference final as we look at the upcoming conference final schedule TNT Wednesday in the east
00:12:16The Knicks will host the Pacers game 1 8 Eastern Time
00:12:19And then back here for game 2 Thursday on ESPN
00:12:24830
00:12:25We're shortly thereafter the tip-off
00:12:27Oh
00:12:28Connelly played in the conference final obviously last year with Minnesota back in 2013 with the Memphis Grizzlies
00:12:35He's been an all-star
00:12:37NBA all-defense as respected in locker rooms and around the league as anybody in the league over the past 20 years
00:12:45And again, they they talk about it win one for Mike. Yeah, Mike Conley, you know that first conference finals
00:12:51He beat my 61 win Spurs team. It was a 1 vs. 8 when he was in Memphis
00:12:59Einstein's got that floater going well as they launched on with 12 points
00:13:06Okay seat back up by two
00:13:08Oh
00:13:16Shot clock at 8 Edwards find some room nails the three-pointer his third three
00:13:21He's got 16 late screen by Rudy who does a good job taking the right angle to get his teammate open
00:13:28It
00:13:32Was Alex and a wide open can't get at the fall Edwards, I guess that ankles looking pretty good. He's still hopping up and down
00:13:40Makes his move pulls back Jalen Williams now chasing him gets into the paint
00:13:45Connelly catch fire connects
00:13:49Quick timeout mark Digno as Minnesota back up by four here early third quarter in game one
00:13:59Right now Dale AI can help discover all the little things that add up to big wins and drive game-changing results for businesses in real-time
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00:14:17Let's take a look who's enjoying the limelight brought to you by Corona extra sounds like you might need a Corona late clock
00:14:25situation so Rudy Gobert sets an
00:14:27Outstanding screen for Julius and then the ability to get through traffic Richard Jefferson. Come on now
00:14:34How hard is the past Anthony made in that situation, but it's like watching him probe right to left of the board
00:14:40Let me get back to the middle throw my arms out to draw a foul
00:14:43But I love that Conley gets his feet there gets his feet set and has that quick release
00:14:48Alexander Walker's come in for Minnesota
00:14:54Williams Isaiah Joe
00:14:57Williams on a pull-up jump shot is good. He's got double figures now
00:15:10Finally having a strong third quarter short on Edwards
00:15:17How to find some room plays catch would go there
00:15:20I
00:15:23Will of 24
00:15:24Randall
00:15:25But I have to put it up backs in gets inside picks it out
00:15:28Probably just gets it off inside and can't get it before go bear keeps it alive
00:15:32But do it knocks it out of his hands Randall Conley again
00:15:36That mrs. J. Williams comes flying in for the rebound
00:15:40Minnesota continues to get good looks from three. It's been a consistent theme all game
00:15:46dork moving screen
00:15:50That's four on dork
00:15:52Even Chenzo will check in Conley's gonna get a rest
00:15:56Even Chenzo was a playoff hero last year for the Knicks. It's a really big shots
00:16:02He's not shot the ball well, but he just brings energy
00:16:07Uptick when he comes on the floor. Yeah, and we talked about the adjustment for Julius Randall
00:16:11But you think about the season that Dante DiVincenzo had last year even him getting acclimated
00:16:17He's one of the best like off-the-bench two-way guards that plays defense can shoot the ball the more
00:16:23The more relaxed he feels the better. He's gonna play nice pass
00:16:27With Colbert who points to DiVincenzo says thanks as he goes to the free throw line
00:16:35Even gentle guy who had
00:16:37253 a year ago
00:16:39He was absolutely brilliant and the big thing for him on this roster in particular
00:16:44He had an early connection with go big you saw it right there in that pick and roll action
00:16:50Those number of things that was third in the NBA last year
00:16:54Meanwhile, Heinstein has picked up his fourth person
00:17:02There were a couple plays in the first half where I thought Dante put Rudy in tough situations
00:17:07You have to know where Rudy can make the catch. It's very tight windows. So operating and screen and roll
00:17:13He's gonna cut down the middle
00:17:15Listen a soft catch for a big man off a bounce pass with only maybe one dribble
00:17:21But you don't want Rudy with two now big make two dribbles or less for big man. I had three dribbles
00:17:26That was my game, but he's got two dribbles
00:17:29Meanwhile, he's facing the Thunder Sticks when you're at the free throw line. Did anything ever just completely knock you off with your concentration?
00:17:36I know if people got to understand what you played at these moments the Thunder Sticks are fun
00:17:41It adds the environment, but most of these guys have been playing high-level games their whole life
00:17:45Good defense there from Edwards. Isaiah. Joe has to give it up shot clock. Is it a Williams one-on-one with Randall?
00:17:52It's past them the floaters up and good tough shot from Jalen Williams
00:17:57We're tied again
00:18:00Williams has seven points here in the third quarter for the game one-on-one in the middle of the floor saying I'm gonna beat Julius
00:18:06Randall
00:18:08Even chenzo from way downtown
00:18:12rebound Kenrick Williams
00:18:18The two cousins battling right there SGA wins out timeout, Minnesota Thunder up to
00:18:30Hey, you'll just Alexander starting to get going and what better way to get going and against your cousin
00:18:38I
00:18:45Welcome back to Oklahoma City where cousin Shay guilt is Alexander and Nikhil Alexander are facing each other in these Western Conference finals
00:18:52She and Nikhil grew up together in Ontario can't Canada are very close
00:18:56They played high school ball together at a prep school in Chattanooga, Tennessee
00:19:00She went on to play college ball at Kentucky Nikhil at Virginia Tech SGA was drafted 11th overall in
00:19:082018 and a W was the 17th overall pick a year later Mike
00:19:13Nikhil is 26
00:19:16J. Gilda's Alexander is 26
00:19:21Randall
00:19:23Shot can't get it to go Isaiah Joe the rebound Isaiah Joe playing some important minutes there in game one
00:19:30Edwards
00:19:32Edwards guarding SGA
00:19:35William screen killed this Alexander left-handed does not go down gets his own rebound back up and in
00:19:42This is that first ability from OKC. They know it their crowd knows it
00:19:48How is Minnesota gonna answer this call after this 8-0 run?
00:19:53for point
00:19:55That's their largest of the game
00:19:57There's not been a double-figure lead in this one as leech spins right into a turnover
00:20:04Generally Williams the drive kicks it out in the corner
00:20:10Williams a drive up and under banks at home gorgeous move and ten straight points by the Thunder timeout, Minnesota
00:20:17You
00:20:22Decided to play small
00:20:25You have dialed up your defensive pressure
00:20:28Jalen Williams is handling it more here in the second half. It eases shade having to make every single play
00:20:36terrific third by Jalen and then how tough is this quick second jump by shake illness Alexander nice
00:20:44Soft touch. Come on
00:20:48A
00:20:49strong third quarter by the Thunder
00:20:52Right now a six-point lead crowd back into it. They were a little anxious a little quiet for this crowd
00:20:59Minnesota's played an excellent game one
00:21:01Right now. We've watched the Thunder score 10 straight 5 on the shot clock Randall drives kicks it out
00:21:07Nas read corner 3 can't get at the fall
00:21:09Rebound snatched by Jalen Williams
00:21:15You can chenzo now picks up SGA off the bounce
00:21:20Got a little overaggressive defensively. That's going to be his second
00:21:25Kenrich Williams played two games in the last series
00:21:27But he comes out here and he has been given the assignment to guard Julius big strong
00:21:34Down in a wide base defensive stance
00:21:36The best thing you can do is try to take away that left hand make him a passer
00:21:40He's had a couple of defensive plays that have been big time
00:21:45SGA again posting up his cousins swatted by Nas read terrific defensive play
00:21:55And Richard Williams guarding Edwards off the bounce push off pulls up jumper won't go another rebound for Jalen Williams
00:22:02Got seven of those
00:22:04We're gonna push the pace Isaiah Joe for three
00:22:09And Alexander Walker outlets to Edwards Edwards dancing prancing gets to the rim layups good
00:22:19When you need a bucket
00:22:21You go to Anthony Edwards. It doesn't matter if it's transition or in a pick and roll. I don't know if that's a foul
00:22:27I think he lost his balance. We're gonna have to check that out on replay
00:22:31He was not happy with the call
00:22:43Oh, no, he just tripped that's the right call they they're reviewing that one up they're gonna challenge it
00:22:50And add I love this it's the seal by Rudy Gobert
00:22:54You see that seal doesn't allow Shea to get their kids and that path
00:23:02Oh
00:23:05Here's the plate that's being challenged
00:23:08Alexander walk you see him kind of grab on the left arm there of Gilda's Alexander and then the trip up
00:23:14He didn't fall by any trip on feet, but I thought it was an illegal screen first of all by Isaiah Joe
00:23:19I thought his feet were too wide relative to his spacing, but you're right
00:23:22I mean that that if you're not gonna call the illegal screen offensively, you're gonna get that foul call on the keel
00:23:29Well, I see the arm is up there high
00:23:31But it's that when he goes to the right to make that move
00:23:33He goes to the right for the in-and-out when he brings it back. That's when he loses his balance
00:23:38There was no contact after that move, but we'll see what they call is Jimmy Capers
00:23:44Upon review
00:23:45There is no illegal contact by the defender. So therefore there is not a defensive foul. We have a successful challenge
00:23:53the imminent possession was
00:23:56Alexander so Oklahoma City will get the ball side out with 16 on the shot clock. The timeout is given back to Minnesota
00:24:05Well, you see right there it's that in and out once he goes to that in and out there's no touch
00:24:09So when he brings it back, that's when he starts to lose his feet and there was no contact once he started that move
00:24:16So they still get another challenge. Okay. See how to challenge in the first half was unsuccessful. So they're done
00:24:22You see the two cousins battling here in the Western Conference final
00:24:29Family barbecues gonna be a little different this summer. Isn't it Mike?
00:24:32Somebody's going home. They might have to postpone it to like July to let some of the bad feelings go away before
00:24:44Williams to Wallace
00:24:47Takes it out Caruso home grip
00:24:50Hendricks Williams pulls up jump shot gets it a go
00:24:54Hendricks Williams with some very good minutes off the bench
00:24:59It's like in the Denver sealer series Jalen Williams the other Jalen Williams gave them some good minutes the versatility of the roster
00:25:08Edwards kicks it out
00:25:11Alexander Walker takes his time can't get to the floor
00:25:14His cousin gets the rebound where that bench continues to struggle with their shooting
00:25:21Hendricks Williams three got it
00:25:23Good three-pointer in the thunder with their largest lead of the game
00:25:28Your coach has confidence in you you will repay that confidence. That's his first three of the playoffs
00:25:35Nasri drives shot won't go out of bounds go bear
00:25:39He had taken eight three-pointers so far in the playoffs was over eight
00:25:43I mean, he wasn't a part of the last series and you come in in the second half
00:25:47You've been given a big defensive assignment
00:25:49You've got that mid-range jumper to go and then all of a sudden that basket looks a little bigger
00:25:53And always a good three-point shooter 39% regular season is SGA knocks it down
00:25:59And the first double-digit lead of the game of 17 to 2 run
00:26:09Edwards fires away
00:26:13Rebound home run
00:26:18These are the type of runs the Thunder have been going on all season long
00:26:22And an offensive foul called on Kendricks Williams
00:26:28It's clearly not pleased with the whistle
00:26:32Reminder Thursday night on ESPN will have game two right back here in Oklahoma City
00:26:36Our coverage goes underway NBA camp down 730 tip-off shortly after 830
00:26:41Will the Thunder have a 1-0 lead or can the Timberwolves come back and get another road win in these playoffs?
00:26:48Still so much time remaining as we wind down the third quarter
00:26:55As we even chenzo quick catch-and-shoot heads to three a big three-pointer from Minnesota
00:27:00The
00:27:05Second three for deep in chenzo
00:27:10Shots good and one tough to hit banked at home and a chance for a three-point play
00:27:17Just taking them off the ball for a few plays to start the quarter
00:27:22He's not having to make every play Jalen Williams got them off to a great third now all of a sudden shade got his rhythm
00:27:29Back he's feeling good again. He's getting to the spots
00:27:32He's so capable of getting and as soon as he feels the contact folks
00:27:36This guy takes nine free throws per game in the regular season. He's one of the best here in the playoffs
00:27:42That is his game in a nutshell and that's Edwards fourth foul
00:27:47We scored half his points here in the third period after that rough shooting first half
00:27:53Oklahoma City has 44 points
00:27:56In the first half they've got 32 here on the third, it's an 11-point lead Edwards takes the seat
00:28:06Kendrick Williams just wrong place wrong time. D. Vincenzo draws the foul
00:28:19Dante uses the cross then he's coming back behind the back. So he's getting a turn twice
00:28:25a
00:28:27Minute remaining here in the third the Thunder has turned around a trail by nine in the first half
00:28:36Clark back in he got some minutes in the first half for his defense
00:28:41Alexander Walker three
00:28:43Can't get to the floor rebound SGA
00:28:50Reads over seven
00:28:52And
00:28:55Wallace gets pump goes inside lost it gets it back. We're gonna find somebody and a hell ball
00:29:01With nine left on a shot clock for the Thunder
00:29:12Big turnaround again, the Thunder did not play all that well in the first half and we're only down four
00:29:18They have found their rhythm
00:29:20Here with this third period Isaiah Joe comes in and with shake you'll just Alexander when you're guarding to get to the lead scorer
00:29:27You want to keep him to a point per shot right now? He's got 21 shots 23 points
00:29:33That's how you know, you're doing a solid job versus an elite scorer
00:29:39Well bear gets it he Vincenzo wins the tip there's about a three and a half second difference shot clock game clock
00:29:51Even
00:29:56Genzo on the drive gets it out in the corner
00:30:00Bark makes his move and he is fouled for free throws for Clark with seven point four remaining
00:30:10Again Clark
00:30:11Hardly playing in these playoffs prior to tonight. Just six minutes
00:30:16He's taken two free throws in these blasts. I hit him both
00:30:21Now the chance to cut into the lead during the regular season 78% from a free-throw line
00:30:38Rushed up. Yeah, that is that almost took out Jerry West on the left side
00:30:47The sticker
00:30:50Backward
00:31:01And it's right back and knocks it down no fouls to give here
00:31:06Wallace Jalen Williams three-pointer off the mark
00:31:11one tenth of a second remaining
00:31:14That will end the third quarter
00:31:17A thunder come alive after trailing much of the first half
00:31:21Take over this Alexander and Jay Williams
00:31:24Both come through here this third quarter
00:31:27We head to the fourth here in game one. Okay, see with a ten-point lead
00:31:31Welcome back to the Western Conference finals presented by AT&T Jalen coach said the defense kept you guys in in that first half while the
00:31:38Offense was getting figured out. Just what were you guys able to figure out offensively in that third quarter?
00:31:44Just basketball ties and lows
00:31:47So just kind of sticking with it. But one thing we can't do is let our defense drop
00:31:50How about for you specifically?
00:31:52I'm a big fan of the defense and I'm a big fan of the offense and I'm a big fan of the offense
00:31:56I'm a big fan of the offense and I'm a big fan of the offense
00:31:59How about for you specifically nine points in that third quarter what was working for you just playing aggressive trying to play physical
00:32:07Trying to make plays not forcing anything
00:32:09Again, I think our defense is feeling a lot of that too
00:32:13Thank You Lisa he was superb in game seven on Sunday afternoon jump shot there won't go rebound Nasri
00:32:21He
00:32:25Randle
00:32:26Has not scored in the second half at 20 points of the first half. He was unstoppable
00:32:31Isaiah Joe trying to guard him here. That's been moved kicks it out
00:32:34He's triple team McDaniels and they can't get the three to go now Nas read the rebound shot clock at five layup
00:32:40Blocked by home good read catches it deep in Chenzo a three puts it in
00:32:46Wow, what a turnaround on that sequence
00:32:49He's made two threes that feels so massive for, Minnesota
00:32:5744 of their 66 shots from three-point range deep in Cendo took a shot case in Wallace home drink
00:33:03He lines up a three and answers right back
00:33:06First three-pointer of the game for home run nine total points in the lead back to ten
00:33:13McDaniels goes at home and well-defended
00:33:18Got it out of bounds still Minnesota ball 13 to shoot
00:33:22Dante deep in Chenzo took a pretty good shot to the face
00:33:26had his
00:33:28Hand all the way up on the way up the floor like it's still squinting. He took a shot from his own teammate
00:33:36Right now whistle
00:33:40Deep in Chenzo bleeding so they'll attend to the bleeding
00:33:44And we have to talk about this, Minnesota bench one of the best benches in the league again
00:33:50The six man of the year last year you got defense Nas read is so impressive
00:33:54But it's over eight for Nas read three for eleven for deep in Chenzo and one for nine
00:34:01Chris Finch basically just plays three guys off. That's always really done throughout these playoffs and all three of them
00:34:08Not only can give you scoring punch, but all three good defenders
00:34:12But it just haven't the shot just haven't fallen and what?
00:34:16Okay, she does very well or typically has all year is take great scores
00:34:22And she's got a great defense
00:34:24Okay, she does very well or typically has all year is take great scores and
00:34:30Limit both their volume and attempts and try to say, okay. Well, we're gonna pick others to go ahead and beat us
00:34:41Even Chenzo stays in the game has a little conversation with the OKC fans along the baseline. Whatever they said it made him laugh
00:34:5014 on a shot clock
00:34:52Randall Carter by Caruso
00:34:54Pulls up jumpers good first bucket here in the second half for Randall
00:35:02Alex gruesome likes guarding these big guys. I think he likes the challenge, but I don't think he likes the way he feels in the morning
00:35:10Williams up top to Caruso
00:35:13Williams up top to Caruso
00:35:15Sets fires and rattles in a three. He likes that his second field goal and a lead back to 11
00:35:28McDaniels hesitated
00:35:31The Vincenzo drives reverse block by the home run saved by Wallace
00:35:36Ball out of bounds and it's gonna be up. They're gonna call a foul
00:35:40His ability to close
00:35:43He is dealing with a very quick guard. He stays with him along the baseline. He's just hovering like a
00:35:50Tactical looking to get that wingspan and bomb even Chenzo his third foul
00:35:57Home run
00:36:00Trying to drive on McDaniels double-team McDaniels excellent defense here comes Randall
00:36:06Randall
00:36:15Williams gets inside kicks it out Wallace corner three and Julius Randall grabs his fifth rebound
00:36:27Minnesota ball how much longer is Anthony Edwards going to be on this side because nine minutes left
00:36:33The lead is at 11 this lead could go to 15 or 16 and that's gonna make his job that much harder
00:36:39Right now on the bench with four fouls
00:36:44Nearly stolen by Williams Reid's and just
00:36:47Walks right into the lane lays it up
00:36:50David Williams has five steals that was very close to being a number six and that's leaves first field goal of the game
00:36:57Wiggins deflected by D. Vincenzo Wallace right there at a home run home run with a flush
00:37:11Three inside block by home run but a foul
00:37:16And now Edwards getting off the bench he's gonna come in free throws for Nas read
00:37:20Watch the right side of your screen and Chet Holmgren just going he's pointing up to
00:37:26Mr. Wallace like throw this thing up big fella
00:37:30Instead he takes the bounce pass still able to finish
00:37:33Doris I would tell everybody I can't throw lobs. It's gonna be a bounce pass. So just get ready for it
00:37:38So that's the right decision if you're Wallace
00:37:41We just two points in 24 minutes. It's the first
00:37:45To win prizes with the NBA ID playoffs challenge members in the US and Canada who complete the challenge
00:37:51With the chance at a trip to the NBA draft right now on the NBA app on nba.com slash ID
00:37:59Business Alexander
00:38:01Dort Wiggins Caruso and Holmgren right now out for Minnesota and Edwards returns
00:38:07for a home run
00:38:10Wiggins Caruso and Holmgren right now out for Minnesota and Edwards returns
00:38:15For okc that is and Edwards returns from Minnesota just fresh body after fresh body with your Oklahoma City
00:38:21Jason Wallace you were talking about him flying around defensively. Now you bring Lou Dorff back instead of case and Wallace
00:38:28It's just a terrific roster put together by Sam Presti
00:38:33Mark Digno legal to manage guys who go stretches where they play a lot of the stretches they don't but they're always ready
00:38:40Feet inside Holmgren with a force
00:38:45Big buckets for chet Holmgren here on the fourth back up to 11
00:38:51Steve Ancenzo three-pointer off the mark. He's just three of 11 from downtown
00:39:00Gildas Alexander
00:39:02Oh
00:39:06Here's edwards 18 points for edwards caruso
00:39:12Doing his usual pest on defense even chenzo sets the screen edwards picks up his dribble
00:39:17Back to devin chenzo edwards fires away three-pointer
00:39:20Back to the rim holmgren the rebound knocked out of his hands by randall and saves it to devin chenzo
00:39:27back to reed
00:39:29Reed off the bounce finds randall randall inside block but fouled
00:39:34Good second and third effort from the timberwolves results in free throws
00:39:39And this is what we talk about when I say chet just needs to slow down
00:39:44He does a good job sets a good screen rolls finds it now. Look take your time. You see him
00:39:49No one can get to you when you're just patient and he gets an and one a little 360 dunk animal
00:39:55And
00:39:59Randall gets the free throw to go
00:40:02Alexander walker will come in as reed
00:40:06Back to the bench
00:40:07Julius randall now 23 points. He's tied for the game lead along with gildas alexander who has 23
00:40:25Points
00:40:28Nine point lead for okc
00:40:39Gildas alexander once again goes out his cousin well defended shot in and out won't go holmgren right there
00:40:46Hanging around the rim and getting bucket after bucket nine in the fourth quarter
00:40:55Is
00:40:57Randall drives on dork
00:41:01Backs in backs in tries to split the defense and lost the ball
00:41:08Foul bucket counted and one some shady sizzle here on the fourth the lead is 13
00:41:1613
00:41:23Playing off missus their defensive pressure just trying to get you into tempo
00:41:27I don't know how he completes this play folks take some contact early. He's on his knees
00:41:34And he is somehow going to get his shoulders square. There's the bump that makes him lose balance
00:41:41falling down
00:41:42To the top of that left side
00:41:45Gives it a chance. That's ridiculous
00:41:47Okay, some of it's he's losing his balance some of it is him knowing how to draw fouls at a high level
00:41:53That's where he has mastered that aspect of the game the minute. He feels contact
00:41:58He just puts it up and finch wants to talk about it 26 points eight assists
00:42:05largest lead of the night for okc
00:42:13So
00:42:19The nba western conference finals are presented by at&t
00:42:23The neck team changes everything and in part by nobody too only in theaters august 15th
00:42:30and google proud sponsor of the nba
00:42:36Now time to take a look at what fans are searching for presented to you by google
00:42:41Nba mvp 24 25 a breakout search
00:42:46in the u.s
00:42:48And very likely will be the nba mvp
00:42:53What a spectacular season he's had leading this thunder team
00:42:58To a historic regular season right now a 14 point lead just under seven to play in game one of the conference finals
00:43:05A strong move from randall missed it, but right back up and in
00:43:09He's the definition of the bruising power forward. Oh, he's an absolute bully
00:43:13He's one of those guys when you guard him. You're afraid that you're going to get hurt
00:43:19Jalen williams guarded by edwards
00:43:24Good health defense from randall
00:43:26Shot clock at five sga trying to get away from him. Can't do it spins gets inside wild shot home in the rebound and traffic
00:43:34And then a 24 second violation has been called
00:43:39That's some good defense from julius randall, but look at how he showed his hands. That's the difference watch this
00:43:44Once he starts to make his drive. Yes, but now he's in that difficult spot
00:43:47Watch both hands go up both hands go up do not reach in on shay
00:43:52You will pay every time the ball pressure from the outset
00:43:55And it took him till below 10 seconds to get anywhere near the free throw line and down
00:43:59now
00:44:01Edwards up top kevin chenzo good ball movement alexander walker using the left hand backs at home pretty move
00:44:11And it's back to 10
00:44:13Just past the midway point here in the fourth
00:44:17Sga the drive and the finish 28 points for shay kildress alexander
00:44:30Alexander walker kicks it out. Even jenzo fakes the pass can't hit the three. He's got great looks
00:44:37Mike I think they're four for 19 in the second half from three. They were 10 for 28 in the first
00:44:49Mcdaniel's trying to stay with sga and it's the foul and that's it. Mcdaniel's going to foul out
00:44:59Number six
00:45:01Well number six
00:45:03He has fouled out for the second time of these playoffs the spectacular defender
00:45:08That's six personals
00:45:11Yeah, look at the handle
00:45:12Multiple moves just trying to get him off balance and once he's off balance right to the shooting motion
00:45:18Handle is so tight and so comfortable against pressure
00:45:22And
00:45:27I'll show you kildress alexander wearing a mic for us here tonight
00:45:33Hey, buddy
00:45:37You can roll now you take the slow now you take your guy with you and now I can drive the elbow on a weak defender
00:45:44You say
00:45:48Those kisses for his son were at halftime and they clearly motivated him. He has turned it around after a rough first half
00:45:58Edward started by dork
00:46:02Alexander walker hits a three
00:46:06That's his second three-pointer still a very gettable game
00:46:10Oh
00:46:12Ten point lead with five to go plenty of time for minnesota
00:46:18Kildress alexander jumper
00:46:20And that's why you have to pressure him
00:46:22Yes, you don't want to give up a drive and you want him to shoot threes, but he eats up that space and that step
00:46:27back is lethal
00:46:30Don't go the other way
00:46:32Again, watch julius randall's giving him a little space giving him a little space to absorb the drive
00:46:36But he eats up that space and then steps back there's no contest and that's automatic
00:46:44Four and a half remaining thunder up a dozen
00:46:52Jalen williams luke dort corner three high arcing three goes down
00:46:58Time out minnesota largest lead of the night
00:47:02Oh
00:47:05Well, the crowd is loving this second half
00:47:08They had a very tough first half offensively shea in particular
00:47:13But as soon as that extra defender commits or is in the vicinity
00:47:17The ball movement is on point and blue door a little rain coming down in okc. We're accustomed to that
00:47:22And
00:47:27Here in oklahoma city sports center, then we'll have full postgame coverage from game one more sga wired
00:47:39Hey two more minutes y'all two more minutes two minutes, come on two minutes y'all
00:47:46They shot 37 in the first half
00:47:50They've shot 61 in the second half
00:47:56And another 31 point game eight assists five rebounds randall
00:48:04Spins against dort leads in beautiful move from julius randall 28 points for randall
00:48:11All right, you got four minutes to go 13 point game if you're minnesota
00:48:15You got to get some stops and you got to start hitting this three
00:48:18They're 15 for 48 from three, but if there's a time to get hot it's right now
00:48:23Jason wallace has it on the drive goes inside throws it up and jalen williams with the flush
00:48:34They're just playing in space that's too much space
00:48:38Randall kicks it back out alexander walker naz read the quick launch can't get it
00:48:46And a loose ball foul will go against
00:48:49Okay, see look at how spaced out oklahoma city is
00:48:52So now one man to beat off the drive you fall asleep on the back side
00:48:56And mike was talking about the lob threats chet and isaiah. Here's another one. Mr. Williams told us before the game. I know i'm nice
00:49:04Yes, he did
00:49:06five fouls on dort
00:49:08Three and a half remaining
00:49:11edwards denies reed
00:49:14Throws it out of bounds the swarming defense forced the 18th turnover by minnesota
00:49:34Williams guarded by alexander walker
00:49:37Edwards guarding sga
00:49:40Pulls up drives inside pulls up back up top to caruso caruso three-pointer
00:49:5118-point lead with three minutes to play
00:49:58Stolen by dork saves it to williams
00:50:03This crowd in a frenzy right now
00:50:05Caruso
00:50:07Sga on the drive finds caruso swatted out of bounds by d. Vincenzo
00:50:18You bring in caruso this offseason
00:50:21What does he do? He guards yokich all series
00:50:24He guards julius randall all series and knocks down big threes for you. They've only taken
00:50:3219 threes, but they've hit nine of them williams jumper won't go rebound edwards with two and a half remaining
00:50:39Edwards has not scored here on the fourth quarter. He's only taken one shot
00:50:46Caruso fighting over screens sticks with edwards
00:50:52Step back to read reed tries another three-pointer that one off the mark jaylen williams with his eighth rebound
00:51:02Caruso
00:51:04Meanwhile minnesota's taken 53s and have only hit 15
00:51:12Williams on the drive left-handed
00:51:15He was found nas read good sportsmanship making sure he was okay, but he'll head right to the line
00:51:20Let's watch the pressure alex caruso is going to put on anthony edwards
00:51:24Like you're talking about how little he's been able to get things going here
00:51:28Well, this is why do not allow yourself to be screened when the screen comes you take a step toward that guy
00:51:33But the ability to stay in front on a guy with the handle and explosion of anthony edwards. Come on rj
00:51:40This this defense is just absolutely as good as it can be done folks
00:51:45So
00:51:54On espn game two of this series right back here
00:51:57In okc coverage gets underway nba countdown 7 30 eastern tip off
00:52:02shortly after 8 40
00:52:04Right now an 18 point lead with two minutes remaining in a game where okc
00:52:09Trailed by four at halftime
00:52:11exploded in that third quarter
00:52:14And now just adding to it here in the fourth williams another
00:52:18Just wonderful all-around game 18 points eight rebounds five assists five steals
00:52:24What I liked about him when we talked to him in the meeting
00:52:27I said hey back between game six and game seven where you struggled
00:52:31As they're about to make an adjustment between game six and game seven where you struggled. What did you learn about yourself?
00:52:37He was like nothing. It just confirmed what I did
00:52:39No, it confirmed that if you trust the process you trust the work the game will show up
00:52:44And that's what he did in game seven and so far here in game one
00:52:48And chris finch has emptied his bench clark shannon dillingham my not and garza all in the game
00:52:54And williams commits the foul to get out
00:52:58Jane is going to come in and a huge ovation for jaylen williams
00:53:10And that's back-to-back high impact games game seven
00:53:14spectacular performance
00:53:16Just one of those all-around performances and his the numbers never show the true impact
00:53:22That he has with this team
00:53:27Shannon gets the jumper to go
00:53:30Mike I know you said the numbers don't show his impact but
00:53:3419 8 and 5 those are pretty good pretty good numbers. Those are pretty good numbers there mike good point. That's pretty good impact
00:53:45Well the fans
00:53:48Were able to stand much here in this fourth quarter
00:53:50They were a little nervous in the first half and shannon commits the foul isaiah joe gets knocked down
00:53:56It's only the this will only be the third loss of these playoffs
00:54:00For minnesota, they beat the lakers in five games then beat the warriors in five games
00:54:07Meanwhile oklahoma city had that sweep in the first round against memphis
00:54:10And a hard-fought series, even though with the blowout in game seven against denver
00:54:14That was a tough series and they all talked about the mark big notes
00:54:18They may have needed that it showed them that they could they could win the tough games
00:54:23in the playoffs
00:54:25Hadn't faced a lot of adversary during a 68 win regular season
00:54:29But you go down. Oh one with home court advantage
00:54:33You go down to one with another road game in front of you
00:54:37You're one of the youngest teams in the league. You've got to respond to all of that and they were more than capable
00:54:45Milligan move won't go isaiah joe with the rebound joe playing 12 minutes getting some good minutes
00:54:52Mitchell to jones jones knocks down the three
00:54:5710 of 20
00:54:59From three-point range only 20 attempts with 50
00:55:08Just opening things up here in the fourth quarter can't connect rebound joe
00:55:18This is one difficult place
00:55:21To win if you're the road team 35 and 6 during the regular season
00:55:26Five and one in the playoffs the one lost door has just mentioned game one against denver
00:55:31kenbrich williams
00:55:33Didn't play huge minutes 10 before he had a huge impact
00:55:42Scoring the second half 70 to 40
00:55:46And that's what they do and that's what they've done all season long. You think you're in the game
00:55:52And then all of a sudden it's blowout city
00:55:56The thing I like is that they lost the first quarter in game seven lost the first quarter tonight
00:56:01But the way they finish games, it's what sets them apart
00:56:07Well, minnesota knows that it's only one game we'll see how they bounce back for tonight
00:56:14The oklahoma city thunder their first conference finals game since 2016 wins handily
00:56:20as anthony edwards
00:56:22And the t-wolves will regroup and get ready for thursday night
00:56:29Another dominant win
00:56:32From the thunder
00:56:37So impressive in the second half
00:56:40big time shot making
00:56:42And as we said the other afternoon in game seven a defensive clinic
00:56:45And
00:56:49Only 88 points for minnesota
00:56:56And as the case night after night with this team so many different players contributed
00:57:02they have such
00:57:03Great individual defenders four of the top five guys an effective field goal percentage against is their team
00:57:10I mean think about that elite
00:57:13Both scheme wise and and overall all right right now
00:57:16Let's go to lisa who would shake elvis alexander and a number of his friends shay. What was different offensively for you guys in the second half
00:57:25Honestly, I feel like we're a bit rusty, which we shouldn't be we're missing layups free throws
00:57:31We just we just needed to keep being aggressive trust our work
00:57:34We got downhill
00:57:36The layup starting to fall. We started making shots. We started getting stops defensively and we're out and running and playing our basketball
00:57:42How much of this game was just this game one was just about figuring things out
00:57:47Yeah, game one is like you said a feel-out game
00:57:51Game two they're gonna have adjustments. We're gonna have adjustments. We're gonna feel that out
00:57:55It's a series, you know, it's best of seven not not first to one and we know that
00:57:59Um, so good start we want to win every game we play. It's a good start
00:58:02But um a lot a lot a lot more work to do defensively you guys were solid throughout julius randall had a big first half
00:58:09But how are you guys able to limit him in the second half?
00:58:12Yeah, we we had to be aggressive with him. Obviously. He's a very physical player talented player
00:58:17Try to make him uncomfortable. That's what you try to do with great players
00:58:20Um, and we did a good job in the second half
00:58:23If you want to be a really good team, you got to do it all 48 minutes
00:58:26But uh, we'll take the w anthony edwards zero points in the fourth quarter. Just what were you guys doing defensively?
00:58:33against them
00:58:36Same thing as julius nothing different really good players. You got to make them uncomfortable. You got to try to get in the airspace
00:58:41Um and try to take away their strengths, you know, this is a game about adjustments despite the win
00:58:46What do you have to do differently better game two?
00:58:48I'm gonna keep that a secret and not let the world know so they don't see it, but we know we got to do
00:58:53All right. Thanks for your time. Good luck the rest of the way
00:58:55All right. All right, lisa
00:58:57another superb performance from perhaps the mvp
00:59:01Is on one of the youngest teams ever to reach a conference final, but once again, they show their poise
00:59:07They take a couple of punches and bounce back with as dominant a second half
00:59:12As you can find in a conference final
00:59:1562% shooting as they throw up 70 points on a really good defensive team
00:59:23So the thunder take game one final score 114 to 88
00:59:27Our producers tim corgan director. Mike schwab our wonderful espn crew
00:59:32Of course for doris richard and lisa mike green saying don't forget join us thursday night game two right back here on okc at 8 30
00:59:40eastern
00:59:41As we say good night from oklahoma city
00:59:44All right now
00:59:45Let's get you to sports center