Stephen A. Smith Names NBA Series That Could Be ‘As Lopsided As They Come’

Stephen A. Smith Names NBA Series That Could Be 'As Lopsided As They Come' - Athlon Sports

The OKC Thunder got their first Western Conference series since 2016 off to a great start with a 114-88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1. The Timberwolves are the No. 6 seed and have returned to the Conference Finals after their appearance (and elimination) last season, but are now hoping to avoid successive WCF exits.

That contest has many worried about an uncompetitive series brewing, with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith making that feeling clear with his expression of genuine worry that this could wind up being a short series in OKC’s favor.

“This series could end up being a romp. It could end up being as lopsided as they come. Based on what you saw in the second half. We’re not all there yet. We’re looking at whether Minnesota can get a game or two. My theory on a seven-game series has gone out the window.”

Losing Game 1 won’t help the Wolves ensure they make it to their first Finals as a franchise, while the Thunder are looking to return to the Finals after 13 years. The No. 1-seeded Thunder showed how talented they are, especially defensively, in their Game 1 win, as Smith highlighted.

“The level of dominance in that second half, defensively. If they were just making shots, that would be one thing. They weren’t making shots, and they didn’t care.”

“They forced about three to four turnovers in the last three minutes of the first half, which set the stage for the blowout in the second half.”


Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) defended by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Smith ended his take with a worrying message for the Wolves.

“This is what they’re doing, they came at them defensively and got all up in them, and Minnesota had no answer whatsoever. This could be bad.”

The Timberwolves shot a paltry 29-83 from the field and 15-51 from three. This offensive mishap was enough to give OKC the room they needed to steal this win despite being down at halftime.

Their defense completely stifled the Wolves and ensured there were no openings for a comeback. If the Thunder can play the kind of meticulous basketball they did in Game 1, this series could be over before anyone knows it.