Spurs vs Timberwolves Prediction

San Antonio are living up to their reputation as the main obstacle in Oklahoma's quest for a second consecutive title. The Texans confidently dispatched Portland, but as expected, they've encountered fierce resistance in their current series against Minnesota. Leading 2-1, Johnson's squad missed the chance to solidify their lead, faltering in the clutch of the last battle. They deserve applause for their fight without the ejected Wembanyama, but the real question is: what was the Frenchman thinking to jeopardize his team like that?

After the Frenchman's ejection, his replacement, Kornet, tried almost single-handedly to patch up the Spurs' defense and delivered a stellar performance, which isn't fully reflected in his modest final stats (7 points and 9 assists). For instance, he neutralized the threat of vertical lobs from small to big men finishing at the rim against Gobert or Reid and also helped the team remain effective on offensive rebounds after missed shots. This mechanism worked well until the fourth quarter when the defense had to focus more on stopping Edwards and Randle, leaving the paint exposed. The lack of size, combined with poor three-point shooting (hitting only 6 out of 26 attempts), led to a frustrating defeat. Nevertheless, the series is still in the Spurs' hands.

Minnesota continues to uphold its reputation as one of the toughest playoff opponents. For the second consecutive round, they are playing the role of underdogs, battling on equal terms. This time, it's San Antonio feeling the brunt of their steely resolve. Trailing 1-2 in the series, Finch's squad claimed a crucial Game 4 victory, capitalizing on the unexpected ejection of Spurs' leader Wembanyama. The French giant was sent off in the second quarter after elbowing Reid in the throat. The NBA is now reviewing the incident, and the Texas star might face a one-game suspension.

However, the victory didn't come easy. The Timberwolves were down by eight points heading into the final quarter and struggled to find answers against San Antonio's tenacious and aggressive defense. But then Edwards took charge, sinking a series of difficult shots and sparking the comeback. Playing through a knee injury, Anthony finished with 36 points. It was this young franchise superstar who exploited weaknesses in the opposition's defense and secured the win. Yet, the coach should be concerned that even at home, in a favorable position, such extraordinary efforts were required. Clearly, it will only get tougher for Minnesota as their physical resources aren't limitless.