NBA conference finals have tipped off, with four teams fighting for a spot in the Finals. The No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder, after a tough seven-game series against the Denver Nuggets, kicked off the Western Conference finals Tuesday night.

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves play Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA Playoffs Saturday at Target Center.

The Pacers targeted the right secondary star with the Pascal Siakam trade, and it changed everything for them.

The discourse -- and discord -- surrounding playoff officiating isn't new. But this year, players and coaches have wondered if the league has lost control. The NBA says its ref data is in line with past years.

Jayson Tatum (Celtics, 5th): Ranked top 10 in net rating (9.8, min. 30 mpg), leading the Celtics in total points (1,932), rebounds (623) and assists (431) as they posted back-to-back 60+ win seasons for the first time in 16 years

Parity, or as close to parity as the NBA can get, has been achieved.

Because Oklahoma City's perimeter defenders are better than their counterparts on the Lakers and Warriors, the Thunder can stick with the Timberwolves' drivers, forcing awkward passes back out to the perimeter instead of high-percentage attempts at the rim.