The Oklahoma City Thunder moved on to the NBA Finals earlier this week in defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in a decisive Game 5 victory. The 124–94 blowout win was an embodiment of everything the Thunder have become—a complete team, with stars dominating in their expected roles and the depth pieces shining at just the right moments. Outside of an ugly Game 3 loss, it was a complete showing of great basketball from OKC.
The eye test suggested as much, anyway. Tune into any game of this year’s Western Conference finals and the average observer would clearly see one team playing a level above the other. The Thunder played with a championship-level combination of intentionality, intensity and chemistry. The Timberwolves are a talented team and certainly no pushover but could only do so much in the face of a great team coalescing as a championship lay within reach.
