Overview

• The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, face the Minnesota Timberwolves, spearheaded by All-NBA talent Anthony Edwards, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals tonight.
• This marks the first Western Conference Finals since 1996 without a team from California or Texas, highlighting the unique trajectories of these franchises.
• Minnesota enters the series well-rested after a six-day break, while Oklahoma City has just a two-day turnaround following a grueling Game 7 win over Denver.
• Key matchups include Minnesota’s dominant frontcourt with Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle against Oklahoma City’s versatile depth featuring Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso.
• Betting markets favor the Thunder significantly, with odds reflecting their strong regular season, though Minnesota’s three-point shooting and bench depth are seen as potential advantages.