This stage — the Western Conference finals, which will open with Game 1 on Tuesday in Oklahoma City or Denver — is the one on which Minnesota saw its season end at the hands of Dallas a year

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.

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