While the Oklahoma City Thunder are title favorites, the Minnesota Timberwolves have a clear path to upsetting OKC and advancing to the NBA Finals. A big part of this path is winning the 3-point battle. Another key factor will be the Timberwolves' secondary scorers and creators stepping up. Consequently, Naz Reid will be crucial for the Timberwolves to pull off an upset. Let's dive into how Reid could propel the Timberwolves to the Finals.
Naz Reid's importance against the Thunder
The Thunder's top-ranked defense will make life difficult for Anthony Edwards. Between Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace, the Thunder have numerous options to throw at Ant. They will often double him, forcing him to be a playmaker. In the regular season, Edwards struggled against the Thunder, shooting 36.4 percent from the field and averaging 3.5 turnovers. As a result, it will be important for the Wolves to get offense outside of Edwards.
All season long, Reid has been one of the Timberwolves' best and most efficient scorers. Reid's 14.2 points per game were third on the team. Crucially, in the regular season, Reid averaged 22.5 points against the Thunder, which led all Timberwolves. He also poured in 11 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2 blocks. His ability to stretch the floor, create his own shot, and playmake has given the Thunder trouble. Reid's proven success against the Thunder makes him arguably the most important player for the Timberwolves this series.
Reid's impact as a shooter and beyond
The most important aspect of Reid's game against the Thunder will be his shooting. In the playoffs, Reid is shooting an absurd 46.7 percent on 4.5 3-pointers per game. Conversely, the Thunder are shooting just 31.7 percent from beyond the arc in the playoffs. If the Timberwolves can win the 3-point battle, they'll be in good shape to win the series, and Reid will be a key part of that.
In addition to Reid's shooting, his overall shot creation and playmaking will be crucial to derail OKC's title hopes. It's unclear if Julius Randle's stellar playoffs will continue against Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. As a result, Reid's shot creation and interior scoring will be vital. Having a big man who can initiate the offense and create shots for others also adds another element to the Timberwolves' offense.
When Reid is at his best as a scorer and playmaker, the Timberwolves' offense reaches another level. Ultimately, if the Timberwolves beat the Thunder, expect Reid to play a massive role.