On ESPN's "NBA Countdown" for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets' Game 6 matchup, Stephen A. Smith was not concerned with who may come out of that series to face the Timberwolves in the conference finals. "I believe the Minnesota Timberwolves should be the favorite to win the championship at this point," Smith said on May 15.

Minnesota is headed back to the Western Conference Finals for the second straight season, eliminating the Golden State Warriors 121-110 in Game 5. The Warriors played the final four games of the series without Steph Curry,

The Minnesota Timberwolves, up 3 games to 1, can clinch their NBA Western Conference series at home on Wednesday niight.