Podcast Summary: The Athletic NBA Daily – "Wolves Advance to Conference Finals + Can the Celtics Come Back?"
Episode Details:
- Title: Wolves Advance to Conference Finals + Can the Celtics Come Back?
- Release Date: May 15, 2025
- Hosts: Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, Esfandiar Baraheni
- Guests: Fred Katz
1. Minnesota Timberwolves Clinch Spot in Western Conference Finals
Overview: The Minnesota Timberwolves secured their advancement to the Western Conference Finals by defeating the Golden State Warriors in a decisive Game 5 victory. The hosts discuss the Timberwolves' remarkable turnaround and their standout performances throughout the series.
Key Highlights:
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Timberwolves' Dominance:
- Dave DuFour notes, “They did not play with their food. They got this done" (02:55) emphasizing the team's mature and focused performance.
- The Timberwolves overcame season-long inconsistencies, showing significant improvement in the playoffs.
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Anthony Edwards' Performance:
- Dave DuFour highlights Edwards’ growth: “He only finished with 22 points, but 12 assists, which is a career high for him in the postseason” (03:15). Edwards’ versatility as a scorer and passer was pivotal.
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Julius Randle’s Impact:
- Chris points out, “Has there been a single player in these playoffs that has changed the way we think about him as much as Julius Randle?” (04:50). Randle emerged as a crucial player, enhancing both defense and offense for the team.
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Karl-Anthony Towns and New Acquisitions:
- David discusses the synergy between Towns and new player Julius Randle: “Randall can get his own shot, and he's showing why that's really important for the Timberwolves right now” (05:59).
- The addition of Randle provided the Timberwolves with the necessary defensive intensity and offensive aggressiveness.
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Timberwolves' Strategy and Future:
- Chris deliberates on team fit and future prospects: “What is your opinion? You like, we got to see it for half the season. It looked great in the regular season.” (07:21).
- The team may look to strengthen its offensive lineup in the offseason to complement their current core.
2. Boston Celtics’ Potential Comeback Against the New York Knicks
Overview: The Celtics made a surprising comeback in Game 5 against the Knicks despite the absence of their star, Jason Tatum. Hosts delve into the game's critical moments and analyze whether the Celtics can overcome a 3-1 series deficit.
Key Highlights:
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Game 5 Analysis:
- Fred Katz describes the Knicks' struggle: “Boston completely torched them to begin the third and by that point it was just done with” (15:09). The Celtics dominated the third quarter, leveraging free throws and defensive strategies.
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Luke Cornett’s Stellar Performance:
- Fred Katz praises Cornett: “Fantastic two-way performance. Picking it up with Jason Tatum missing his first game and Luke Cornett with a third quarter for the ages” (15:09).
- Cornett’s defensive prowess was a game-changer, recording five blocks in the third quarter.
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Mitchell Robinson’s Role:
- Fred Katz emphasizes Robinson’s importance: “Mitchell Robinson has been the best non-Brunson player in this series so far” (16:25). His defensive impact has been significant, especially against a Knicks team struggling with offensive rebounds.
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Celtics’ Strategic Adjustments:
- Fred Katz discusses potential lineup changes: “I do think you have to be bold, right? It’s the playoffs. Like where do you go?” (21:21). Adjusting the starting lineup could enhance the Celtics' defensive and offensive balance.
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Can the Celtics Overcome the 3-1 Deficit?
3. Strategic Insights and Future Implications
Timberwolves vs. Nuggets/Thunder:
- David weighs in on potential future matchups: “I think defensively you're like, give me the Denver Nuggets” (10:20), indicating a preference based on known strategies and team dynamics.
Warriors’ Team Dynamics:
- Chris and David discuss the Warriors’ offensive struggles without Steph Curry, suggesting that trading Curry is unlikely but the team may seek additional offensive support to complement their core players.
Celtics’ Defensive Strategy:
- Fred Katz analyzes the Celtics' defensive tactics: “they have to figure out how to reprieve proportion who's actually fouling and when you're doing it” (22:54). Effective foul management could be key to the Celtics' success in upcoming games.
Towns’ Shooting Challenges:
- Fred Katz highlights the impact of defensive strategies on Karl-Anthony Towns’ performance: “He takes way fewer threes when he's a small on him than when he has a big on him” (32:08). This adjustment by opponents has significantly affected the Knicks’ offensive efficiency.
4. Hosts’ Conclusions and Final Thoughts
- Dave DuFour: Emphasizes belief in the Celtics’ ability to overcome challenges despite Jason Tatum's absence.
- Chris expresses excitement for the upcoming games and maintains optimism about both the Timberwolves and Celtics' prospects.
- Fred Katz: Reinforces confidence in the Celtics’ depth and strategic flexibility, underscoring their potential to advance further in the playoffs.
Notable Quotes:
- “They did not play with their food. They got this done” – Dave DuFour (02:55)
- “He only finished with 22 points, but 12 assists, which is a career high for him in the postseason” – Dave DuFour (03:15)
- “Has there been a single player in these playoffs that has changed the way we think about him as much as Julius Randle?” – Chris (04:50)
- “Boston completely torched them to begin the third and by that point it was just done with” – Fred Katz (15:09)
- “Mitchell Robinson has been the best non-Brunson player in this series so far” – Fred Katz (16:25)
- “Of course they can” – Fred Katz (25:57)
- “He takes way fewer threes when he's a small on him than when he has a big on him” – Fred Katz (32:08)
- “It's like, no, it's Celtics” – Chris (28:08)
Conclusion: This episode of The Athletic NBA Daily provides an in-depth analysis of the Minnesota Timberwolves' impressive playoff run and the Boston Celtics' potential comeback against the Knicks. With expert insights from hosts and guest Fred Katz, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategies, player performances, and future implications for both teams as the NBA playoffs intensify.