Wolves-Oklahoma City game preview
January 12, 2016 at 5:02AM
Preview: The Wolves have lost six consecutive — including the first three games of this four-game homestand — and 10 of the past 11. Seven of those losses came by 10 or more points. This is the first time the teams have met this season, but they will have played each other three times by the time January is over. The Thunder, third in the Western Conference, has the fourth-best record in the NBA. It had a two-game winning streak broken by a Portland team that hit 19 three-pointers Sunday en route to a home victory over the Thunder.
Players to watch: Wolves F/G Shabazz Muhammad has averaged 15.4 points on 53.9 percent shooting in his past five games. PG Ricky Rubio had 12 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals vs. Dallas. Thunder G Russell Westbrook came up just short of his fourth triple-double of the season with 25 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds Sunday. F Kevin Durant scored 28; it was his 23rd straight game with 20 or more points. Durant is third in the league in scoring (26.5 per game) and Westbrook is sixth (25.5). But the Blazers held Durant scoreless in the fourth quarter Sunday.
Numbers: The Wolves are 5-16 at home; only the Lakers and 76ers have fewer home wins. Minnesota has allowed 51 points off turnovers in its past two games. Six of the Wolves' past 11 opponents have shot 50 percent or better. OKC is second in the league in scoring (108.9), third in shooting (47.6 percent) and third in rebounding (47.3).
Injuries: Neither team reports any injuries.
KENT YOUNGBLOOD
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After trailing from the first basket to the final 69 ticks, the Timberwolves defeated a Phoenix team that lacked key players but had Devin Booker, who scored 44 points.
