{"id":36150,"date":"2025-05-16T03:05:13","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T03:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/36150\/"},"modified":"2025-05-16T03:05:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T03:05:13","slug":"id-pick-them-over-knicks-pacers-nba-analyst-crowns-timberwolves-as-championship-frontrunners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/36150\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI\u2019d Pick Them Over Knicks & Pacers\u201d \u2013 NBA Analyst Crowns Timberwolves As Championship Frontrunners"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"NBA <\/p>\n

\n Image Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images <\/p>\n

Minnesota Timberwolves have gone on to dismantle the Golden State Warriors by 4-1 in the Western Conference semifinals. They are now firmly in the Conference Finals and will face either the Denver Nuggets and OKC Thunder.<\/p>\n

Steph Curry\u2019s absence aided Minnesota the most. During his presence, Warriors managed to win the game 1 however, his absence in the following games exposed a deeper hole in the offensive unit of the roster. Timberwolves\u2019 defense is being appreciated for stopping the Warriors\u2019 offence.<\/p>\n

NBA Analyst Stephen A Smith suggested that the Timberwolves showed excellent performance against the Golden State. He also felt that the defense stepped up massively. However, Smith also carried out a hot take by branding the 6th seed as the NBA Title favourites.<\/p>\n

THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES ADVANCE TO THEIR SECOND-CONSECUTIVE WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS \ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n

Anthony Edwards has now ELIMINATED Steph Curry, LeBron James & Kevin Durant\u2019s teams over his last five Playoff Series \ud83d\ude24 pic.twitter.com\/qV0S1baU04<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) May 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Also Read: \u201cYou can\u2019t go to war with three old guys\u201d \u2013 Charles Barkley Gets Honest on Warriors\u2019 Downfall Amid Jonathan Kuminga Mayhem<\/a><\/p>\n

He said, \u201cI believe that the Minnesota Timberwolves should be a favorite to win a championship at this point. I think they should be favored over the Knicks. I think they should be favored over the Indiana Pacers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doubling on his opinion, Smith further added, \u201cI think they should be favored over OKC (Oklahoma City), even, and definitely Denver who they beat all four times they played this year. I think when you see the way they play defense, obviously that rivals OKC, who they split their four games with this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephen A. Smith praises Julius Randle<\/p>\n

The Minnesota Timberwolves had a coordinated effort that took them over the line in the second round series. Something that was quite opposite to how the Golden State Warriors was functioning. They relied too much on Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler and eventually paid the price.<\/p>\n

The Timberwolves greatly benefited from the outburst of players like Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert. This took some pressure off Anthony Edwards. Randle\u2019s defense was crucial to stop Butler and other role players. Stephen A Smith suggested that the Timberwolves defender will be crucial going forward.<\/p>\n

While appreciating the 30-year-old, Smith shared, \u201cI\u2019m going to bring up the name Julius Randle, because when I think about how he has played in these playoffs, particularly the last four games of the series against Golden State.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Minnesota Timberwolves\u2019 rise is one of the biggest stories out there this season. However, branding them out right favorites over Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks and even OKC Thunder is indeed a hot take. The teams have\/are battling semi finals with almost fit opponents unlike Minnesota Timberwolves.<\/p>\n