{"id":4668,"date":"2025-05-25T23:46:48","date_gmt":"2025-05-25T23:46:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/05\/25\/michael-malone-identifies-the-cheat-code\/"},"modified":"2025-05-25T23:46:48","modified_gmt":"2025-05-25T23:46:48","slug":"michael-malone-identifies-the-cheat-code","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/05\/25\/michael-malone-identifies-the-cheat-code\/","title":{"rendered":"Michael Malone identifies the “cheat code.”"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Minnesota Timberwolves blew the Oklahoma City Thunder 143-101 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Timberwolves were nothing more than a must-see game, kicking out 2-0 in the series before Saturday night.<\/p>\n

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Chris Finch’s team responded in the best possible way as it rose 20 points (34-14) by the end of the first quarter.<\/p>\n

Anthony Edwards (30 points) and Julius Randle (24 points) kept their championship dreams alive by leading their home team to victory at target centers.<\/p>\n

Former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone has since identified the Timberwolves “cheat code” against the OKC Thunder.<\/p>\n

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Photo by David Berding\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Malone chose the important thing the Timberwolves did in Game 3. This will need to be reproduced for the rest of the series to advance to the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n

“Well, cheat codes aren’t beating themselves,” Malone explained in a postgame analysis on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

“Back in the regular season, they beat OKC twice. They beat them tonight. And one of the key stats for these three wins is that they didn’t beat themselves.<\/p>\n

“OKC is the number one defense. They hand you over. They lead the league in steel. So you know that you can’t burn their breaks and what happened in games 1 and 2.<\/p>\n

“That wasn’t tonight. They forced OKC to play on the half court. They were more aggressive against Shy (Gilgauss Alexander). They were more trained against Shy.<\/p>\n

“And once again, their benches have been really good for them all year round… Naz Reed, Donte Divinzo, Nickaire Alexander Walker.”<\/p>\n

The Timberwolves score 143 points and may struggle to beat the lightning with 42, but they can win Game 4 as long as they don’t commit unnecessary sales.<\/p>\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jpc0vywr6ly<\/a><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

Malone praised Finch for making a brave decision in his rotation in Game 3, which paid off better than he wanted.<\/p>\n

Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 15 points in just 13 minutes and outscored Gilgeous-Alexander from the bench after barely playing in games 1 and 2.<\/p>\n

“We have to give Chris Finch a lot of credit,” Malone explained. \u201cHe implemented a new player in the rotation and dumped Terrence Shannon Jr., and paid a dividend tonight.<\/p>\n

“So they’re not happy. They’ll come back and protect their home courts and OKC knows they’re ready for Game 4.”<\/p>\n