There's an old saying in the NBA: a playoff series doesn't really begin until someone wins on the road. If that's true, then the Minnesota Timberwolves made sure the Western Conference Finals are still on pause. After getting handled in the first two games by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota stormed back in Game 3 with an even more lopsided victory of their own.

Draining half of their attempts from long range certainly didn't hurt, and my Thunder vs. Timberwolves predictions for Game 4 lean on that momentum continuing, especially from Jaden McDaniels, who found his shooting rhythm.

I've got the full breakdown and best angles covered in my NBA picks for Monday night's 8:30 p.m. ET showdown on May 26.

At some point, you'd think we're due for a nail-biter in this series. With the amount of talent on both sides, it's hard to imagine every game continuing to be a one-sided affair.

Now that the Minnesota Timberwolves have discovered a formula that works, Game 4 has the potential to finally deliver some drama -- and with the point spread sitting at just three, the oddsmakers are expecting it too.

Minnesota enters as the underdog, but they hold the upper hand in late-game experience and have more shot creators who can step up under pressure. The Timberwolves played in a league-high 46 clutch games during the regular season, going 20-26, while the Oklahoma City Thunder were involved in only 24 -- the fewest in the NBA. That battle-testing is starting to show, with Minnesota a perfect 4-0 in clutch situations this postseason.

Relying on their offense in tight moments might've felt risky during the regular season, but a blistering 155.2 offensive rating in the clutch this postseason says otherwise. That edge could be exactly what Minnesota needs to even the series.

Everyone on Minnesota shot better in Game 3. There may never have been a better display of role players playing better at home than on the road. Of the eight Timberwolves entrenched in the rotation, only Mike Conley shot worse than 40% from beyond the arc, and his 2 of 6 was nothing to scoff at.

Jaden McDaniels did not explode offensively, but he went 2-for-4 from long range to get him to 10 points. His offensive workload in this series may vary given how much defensive effort he needs to slow Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but McDaniels will keep shooting from deep.

He has hit 38.6% of his 3-pointers this postseason while attempting 3.4 per game, and that has all improved in this series, going 7-for-15 (46.7%).

McDaniels has long shot better at home -- 38.4% this season compared to 28.0% on the road. That alone should provide value in trusting him in Game 4. And Oklahoma City's willingness to give up corner threes increases McDaniels' volume. It is not his best shot, making only 32% of his corner treys this season, but he is willing to take it when this opportunity arises.

Anthony Edwards finally finding some driving space in Game 3 opened up those opportunities at the Thunder's behest. Five of Edwards's six assists were for 3-pointers, including two to McDaniels in the third quarter -- his two makes.

Consider that your third reason to back McDaniels on Memorial Day. He is shooting well, Oklahoma City gives up more corner threes than anyone else in the NBA, and Edwards is increasing that trend with his dishes off drives. To enjoy that logic at even odds is a value that cannot be turned down.

Pairing an Edwards assists prop with McDaniels' 3-pointers makes a bounty of sense. When the Timberwolves are hitting from deep, Edwards will have more assists. The logic is that simple, and it was clear on Saturday night.

That also helps hold down Oklahoma City's offense, as odd as that may sound.

The Thunder struggle in the halfcourt. Minnesota's best defense is actually scoring on offense, thus cutting down on Oklahoma City's chances in transition. If Saturday's shooting continues to any genuine degree, even if the Timberwolves do not go 20-for-40 from deep again, that will cut into the Thunder's scoring.

Minnesota is 5-1 both against the spread and outright at home this postseason, while Oklahoma City is 0-6 ATS on the road this postseason. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Timberwolves.