G4 Preview: Edwards Forced into Tianwang Mountain in the next city? Alexander is looking for a rebound

At 8:30 a.m. Beijing time on May 27, the Western Conference Finals will continue, and the Timberwolves will play the Thunder again at home to start the fourth game of the series. In the first three games, the Thunder led 2-1 overall, but the Timberwolves outscored their opponents by 42 points in Game 3. In the Western Conference G4, will Alexander lead the team to make the overall score 3-1, or will Edwards take another city and force the series into the battle of Tianwang Mountain?

Talking about the team's 101-143 loss to the Timberwolves, Thunder core Alexander said the embarrassing loss should be a wake-up call. "I assure you, we don't want to end the game like that," Alexander said, "but in any case, if we want to achieve the end goal, we have to solve the problem." That's what these few days in between are all about – making yourself better. ”

Timberwolves, meanwhile, are eager to build on a big win and try to tie the series. A loss would put them on the brink of elimination, as Game 5 of the series will be moved to Oklahoma City.

Timberwolves center Gobert said the team's response should be simple. "We know who we are," Goebel said, "so just be ourselves." ”

In the first three games of the series, Edwards led the Timberwolves with an average of 26.7 points per game. Randle averaged 19.3 points per game and McDaniels averaged 13 points per game. Alexander ranks first on the Thunder team with 27.7 points per game, while Jalen Williams (19.3 points per game) and Holmgren (15.7 points per game) are the Thunder's other two leading scorers.

Holmgren is confident that he and his Thunder teammates will be able to bounce back in G4 in the Western Conference finals. He acknowledged that the Timberwolves were clearly bounced together after losing their first two games, and said the Thunder need to study the game footage and find a way to regain control.

"We have to do what they did [after the second game]," Holmgren said, "and we have to look back at the game and see why they did it and then figure out how to deal with it." ”

Alexander scored 31 points in the first game and 38 points in the second, but struggled in the third, scoring just 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting. "In a long season, you're going to take a hit," Alexander said, "and the key is to get back on your feet and respond. That's where the challenge lies. We were beaten badly in the third game. In the next game, we're either going to get back up or we're going to go down...... Of course, we need to make a decision. ”

One player who is expected to get more minutes in the Western Conference finals G4 is Timberwolves rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. He scored 15 points off the bench in Game 3 and impressed his teammates and coaches alike with his impact on the basket.

"I've been thinking about putting another player in the rotation," Timberwolves coach Finch said, "a player who can open up space in the transition offense, can impact the basket, is physically fit, has the ability to match...... You'll definitely see him more often. ”

List of injuries and illnesses

Thunder: Topic is out

Timberwolves: All players are available

ESPN predicts the win rate: Thunder 63.4%, Timberwolves 36.6%