Going into Game 3, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors are tied 1-1 in their Conference Semi-Finals series. After dropping Game 1 at home, the Timberwolves were able to bounce back with a 117-93 dominant victory in Game 2.
Minnesota forward Julius Randle led all Wolves in scoring with 24 points. Anthony Edwards and Nickeil Alexander-Walker both added 20 points in the win as well. For the Warriors, they seem to be struggling to find scoring help in Stephen Curry's absence (hamstring injury).
While Curry is out for likely the next couple of games, Jimmy Butler will need to increase his scoring load to keep them in the series. In Game 2, Butler finished with just 17 points. After the first two games, the Timberwolves have found their blueprint in successfully defending Butler.
When being guarded by Edwards, Randle, or Jaden McDaniels, Butler is shooting 2/15 for 13% from the field. Believe it or not, Butler's performance in Game 2 was better than their victory in Game 1. On Tuesday in Game 1, he was 7/20 from the field for 35% and 20 points.
With the Warriors best player out for the time being, the Timberwolves defense has had to change its approach. One of key contributors to Minnesota's defensive intensity is McDaniels. He was asked by Dave McMenamin of ESPN about what the defensive gameplan is with Curry being out for Golden State.
"We just try not to think about it. When we play teams without their best player we kind of struggle sometimes. We have to treat Buddy (Hield) like Steph," McDaniels replied.
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In addition to the team's defense on Butler, they also held Hield to just 15 points in Game 2 on Thursday night. It was a much better defensive performance after Hield scored 24 points in Game 1. If Minnesota's defense can continue to slow down both Butler and Hield, it will be difficult for Golden State to remain competitive in the series with Curry out.
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