OKC Thunder TIP3: Dunking With Wolves expert weighs in
TIP3 – Dunking with Wolves site expert offers insight into OKC Thunder preview versus Minnesota Timberwolves
TIP3 is Thunderous Intentions preview segment offering three burning questions prior to the next OKC Thunder game. The added bonus is the opposing team’s expert provides insight on the opponent which they have a greater knowledge of.
Specifically, by pairing this information with TI’s pregame analysis it gives fans a full picture of what to expect prior to tip. Lending his insight for the Minnesota Timberwolves is site expert Brian Sampson of Dunking with Wolves.
Dunking with Wolves weighs in:
Sampson answered questions on the youthful, improving Timberwolves who currently rank fifth in the Western Conference with a 13- 9 record. In addition Sampson addresses my queries on who specifically Jimmy Butler was calling out, the shocking improvements of Andrew Wiggins defensively, point guard minute allocation and we reflect back on that infamous first game between the Wolves and Thunder with a view to the winner of tonight’s match.
Without further adieu – welcome to TIP3:
TI Q1: Was Game 3 of 2017 a harbinger for the season?
Looking back to October 22nd the Wolves out lasted an offensive slug fest 115-113. Andrew Wiggins long range, game winning, clutch three is still causing a few Thunder Nation fans nightmares.
Ironically, a missed call on an illegal screen by Karl-Anthony Towns on Paul George allowed Wiggins to get free to take the shot. In fairness, the OKC Thunder failed to do the little things in the game which would’ve made that last minute shot a moot point.
Regardless, I wonder how much that shot and game led to the dynamic of how each team has progressed this season. For the OKC Thunder it’s no secret the team has seemingly hit rock bottom with bad losses in Dallas and Orlando, teams with a cumulative record of 14-30.
Conversely, that specific win for the Wolves provided a benchmark for a team who gave up copious leads last season or couldn’t close out in clutch time.
Entering tonight’s match the Wolves sit a full 4 games ahead in the standings with five additional wins and three fewer losses. Moreover, Minnesota have assured a split at worst in the season series based on their 2-0 record versus OKC.
Do you get the same sense the win in Oklahoma helped to establish confidence and a belief the Wolves had turned a corner?
Sampson thoughts:
The initial Timberwolves victory over the Thunder was, without question, the signal of a new team and a new era. It helped instill confidence in their fans this season was going to be different. More importantly, it was a confidence booster to the players and coaching staff this Timberwolves team could hang with anyone.
Minnesota faced a lot of adversity in that game with Russel Westbrook and co. making a late charge in the fourth quarter. In the past, this would’ve been the type of game where the Timberwolves folded under the pressure. However, despite an extremely fortunate shot, they walked away victorious.
Related: Hot tub time machine reversal – how one game dramatically affected OKC’s season
It wasn’t quite the springboard most fans were hoping for, as they lost their next two games against the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons. They’ve continued their trend of playing down to opponents this season by losing to teams such as the Phoenix Suns and the John Wall-less Washington Wizards.
Fortunately, thanks to that first buzzer beater against the Thunder, the Timberwolves know they can hang with anyone.