Thunder's smothering defense stifles Timberwolves in Game 2 win

The Oklahoma City Thunder took a commanding 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals on Thursday with a 118-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

While the narratives going into Game 2 were centered around newly-minted MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his historic offensive numbers, the highlight on Thursday was the Thunder's ferocious defense.

Oklahoma City has held Minnesota to just 95.5 points per game in this series, a far cry from the 109 points per game the T-wolves averaged against the Golden State Warriors in the second round. The Thunder did this in two ways: by clamping down on Minnesota's three-point shooting and limiting Anthony Edwards' production. 

Minnesota shot a putrid 15-for-51 from downtown in Game 1, and somehow shot worse in Game 2. Minnesota shot just 28.2% from three in the game, finishing 11-for-39. Key scorers like Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, combined to shoot just 5-for-19 from the floor and both ended with single-digit outputs. 

Edwards, meanwhile, did lead all Timberwolves players with 32 points and six assists, but took 26 shots and finished just 1-for-9 from three point range. Oklahoma City packed the paint and forced Edwards to jack up threes or see multiple bodies on his way to the rim. This strategy limited Edwards' efficiency, and prevented Minnesota's offense from getting in a rhythm all night.

This Oklahoma City defense is starting to look like an all-time unit in these playoffs. Led on the perimeter by Lu Dort, who was just named to his first NBA All-Defensive Team, Alex Caruso, Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren locking down the paint, the Thunder are producing one of the best playoff defensive ratings of a team this decade (min. 10 games played). 

The Thunder's postseason defensive rating of 101.2, is 6.9 points lower than second place, per NBA Advanced Stats. There is no one in their universe right now. And, with great defense comes great offense: