OKC defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-88 in Tuesday's Game 1 at Paycom Center with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way as he has all season. The MVP candidate finished with 31 points, nine assists, five rebounds and three steals and spearheaded a strong second-half comeback effort.

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves shot 35% from the field and went 15-of-51 (29.4) from 3. They shot 15-of-21 on free throws. They had 18 assists on 29 baskets. Two Timberwolves players scored double-digit points.

The Oklahoma City Thunder were the NBA's best team this season for a number of reasons, and for all the same reasons, they were the heavy betting favorite to win the championship entering their conference finals matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he showed why he's MVP," Michael Malone said Tuesday during an appearance on ESPN's postgame coverage when discussing the Oklahoma City Thunder's 114-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

The series victories over the Lakers and Warriors also began with losses, but rallying vs. the Thunder will be a whole new challenge.