After getting on the board in the Western Conference Finals in emphatic style in Game 3, Minnesota are aiming to square the ledger against Oklahoma City at home in Game 4.
Top seeds Oklahoma City took a 2-0 stranglehold via a 114-88 victory in the opener and a 118-103 result in Game 2 – with newly-crowned MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 31 and 38 points, respectively.
But the series turned dramatically at Target Center in Game 3 as sixth seeds Minnesota romped to a 143-101 victory.
Racing out of the blocks with a 34-14 first quarter and leading by 31 points at the half, Minnesota were never in danger in a performance led by Anthony Edwards (30 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast), who hit five of six three-point attempts. Julius Randle added 24 points.
In the most jarring stat-line of the match for OKC, Gilgeous-Alexander was their top scorer with just 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting (equal with bench player Ajay Mitchell). The team shot just 40.7 percent from the floor, including 31.8 percent from behind the arc.
Minnesota were 57.3 percent and 50 percent respectively.
Minnesota, who disposed of LA Lakers and Golden State in five games, are now 5-1 at home during these playoffs. Oklahoma City have lost three of their last four on the road.
The title favourites are $1.67 to bounce back for a 3-1 lead. Neutrals will be hoping for the first competitive game of the series – and if that unfolds in Game 4, Minnesota might have the edge with a 4-0 record in clutch games so far in these playoffs.
Either way, free points on Minnesota at home after their previous showing are hard to pass up.