Timberwolves vs. Thunder | 7:00 PM, Target Center
Where To Watch: Fox Sports North
Where to Listen 830 WCCO
Wait, a team with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka is currently out of the playoff hunt in the Western Conference?
That’s what happens when Durant and Westbrook, two top-10 players in the league, miss a combined 31 games. The Oklahoma City Thunder currently sit at 9-13, good for 12th place in the Western Conference. This team should be a playoff time come spring, but that’s easier said than done.
If you look at the West, what team slips out allowing OKC to slide it? Good question.
Every game for Oklahoma City moving forward is extremely important and you can bet Durant and Co. will be bringing it all Friday night at the Target Center.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. The game airs on Fox Sports North and 830 WCCO.
LAST MEETING
The Wolves and Thunder faced off four times last season. Minnesota beat Oklahoma City in the first matchup of the season, but Durant and the Thunder rattled off wins in the final three matchups.
The last game came on Feb. 5 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Thunder won 106-97 behind 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists from Durant. Reggie Jackson, filling in for the injured Westbrook, added 20 points and nine dimes. Ibaka had a game-high three blocks to go with 14 points. Derek Fisher (yes, he’s now a coach for the Knicks) and Thabo Sefolosha (now with Hawks) finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
OKC attempted just 11 free throws in the game. To put that in persepective, Durant himself averaged 10 free throws per game.
The Wolves had only three layers hit double-digits, but in total, 11 players ended up scoring for Minnesota. Ricky Rubio led the way with 19 points, eight boards and five assists. Dante Cunningham (now with Pelicans) filled in for the injured Kevin Love nicely, finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds, three steals and three blocks. J.J. Barea (now with Mavericks) led the second unit with 11 points.
Minnesota forced 16 Oklahoma City turnovers, but just wasn’t able to steal this one on the road.
THIS WEEK’S RESULTS
The Wolves are coming off of a big home win on Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers. It snapped a six-game losing streak for the Wolves.
Rookie Andrew Wiggins probably had the best night as a pro, finishing with 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals. He came up with a big steal to end the third quarter which resulted in a Corey Brewer three-pointer. Brewer had a solid night as well, finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals. It was Brewer’s second consecutive game with five steals. Thad Young had a rough night shooting (6-of-20), but managed to finish with 13 points. Two of those points were crucial in the fourth quarter when Young hit a hook shot with five minute left to put the Wolves up six. Former UCLA stars Shabazz Muhammad and Zach LaVine finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Thunder took down a LeBron-less Cavs team on Thursday night at home. Westbrook led the way with 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Durant added 19 points, six boards and five assists. Jackson and Anthony Morrow finished with 13 and 11 points, respectively.
KEY MATCHUP: THE BATTLE OF THE BENCHES
It would be easy to take a look at Wiggins vs. Durant or the UCLA matchup with LaVine and Westbrook.
Instead, we’ll look to the men behind the scenes for both teams.
The Wolves have been sparked all season long by second-year pro Shabazz Muhammad. Whether it’s a giant dunk or a key offensive rebound, Muhammad has been huge for Minnesota.
He’s averaged 11 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 49.7 percent from the field. What’s been so special about Muhammad, though, has been what he’s done lately. In six of his last seven games, he’s hit double-digits. He’s hit 20 or more points in three of those games. He had four points in the loss to Philadelphia, but he played just 17 minutes due to a sore ankle.
It’s too soon to call him a Sixth Man of the Year candidate, but if he keeps playing like he has over the last month… Well, we won’t get ahead of ourselves.
Oklahoma City has a heck of a player coming off their bench as well. Although Reggie Jackson has started in 13 of 18 games this season, he’s come off the bench in his last six games after the return of Durant. The combo-guard has done a little bit of everything this season, averaging 17.9 points, 6.6 assists and five rebounds per game.
His numbers have dipped a bit coming off the bench, but he’ll still be one of the best players on the court tomorrow. It will be up to Flip Saunders and the Wolves to figure out how to stop him.
Thunder: The Thunder appear to be at full strength.
Timberwolves: Ricky Rubio (left ankle sprain), Kevin Martin (fractured right wrist), Nikola Pekovic (sprained right wrist) and Ronny Turiaf (sore hip) are out. Mo Williams (back spasms) is doubtful. Shabazz Muhammad (sore ankle) is probable.
PROJECTED STARTERS
Thunder: PG – Westbrook, SG – Roberson, SF – Durant, PF – Ibaka, C - Adams
Wolves: PG – LaVine, SG – Brewer, SF - Wiggins, PF – Young, C – Dieng