Layne Murdoch/NBAE/Getty Images
BOX SCORE
Have you ever wondered what it would look like if the Thunder played a half against air? And then wondered what it would look like to completely flip a 180 and play pitiful basketball quickly after?
Because that was the story tonight against Minnesota. The first half, Oklahoma City was scoring at will, moving the ball and pretty much dominating in every way. The Thunder scored 43 first quarter points and held a 72-50 lead at the half. Then after a short locker room break, OKC came out in the third quarter and absolutely played down to their opponent, or even dropped a level below that. There was no energy, no sense of urgency and no focus. The Wolves cut a 25-point Thunder lead down to eight and trailed by nine going into the fourth after a 31-18 quarter over the Thunder. In a word: Frustrating. Read more…
Recap
Minnesota Timberwolves
vs. 
Minnesota Timberwolves (15-61, 5-33 road) vs. Ok. City Thunder (47-28, 24-13 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 753)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 6:00 CDT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 107.8 (14th), Wolves – 101.5 (29th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.8 (8th), Wolves – 111.1 (27th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.9 (14th), Wolves – 96.1 (3rd)
View from the enemy: Howlin’ T-Wolf
Wait, so we have to keep playing? I thought it was all finished last night? That’s the state of mind that scares me a little tonight. The weight of the playoff chase has been lifted, everyone can let off a big sigh of relief and forget about that. Yet, there are still seven really, really important games left. Read more…
Preview
Minnesota Timberwolves
(Photo by Layne Murdoch /NBAE via Getty Images)
BOX SCORE
Now that’s exactly what you would hope to see from a playoff contender after two straight losses. Oklahoma City came out with a frantic energy and sustained it for a full 48 minutes, as the Thunder jumped out to a lead, stretched it out and then held on to it to win by 17, 109-92.
This was one of the cleanest, most focused and most well executed games this year by the Thunder, and that’s even with 17 turnovers. They shot 54 percent from the field, never scored less than 25 in a quarter and defensively was extremely sharp, holding Minnesota to 40 percent shooting. And what was a little weird about it, was for once it didn’t feel like Kevin Durant was the focus. He kind of felt like a secondary player. And I don’t mean that in a bad way at all. The entire team was sharp. There was excellent ball movement, a ton of cutting and a bunch of great passing. Durant played well, but this game was the first time in a long time where he wasn’t the offensive star. It really was a total team effort and he was one of the guys. And I think that’s a great, great sign. Read more…
Recap
Minnesota Timberwolves
vs. 
Minnesota Timberwolves (14-45, 5-25 road) vs. OKC Thunder (33-23, 16-11 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 753)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CST
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 106.1 (18th), Timberwolves – 101.3 (29th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 102.9 (4th), Timberwolves – 110.0 (25th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.6 (16th), Timberwolves – 95.8 (3rd)
View from the enemy: Howlin T-Wolf
REMEMBER: DT Pregame Party Night Fun Time. Be there.
Why am I so nervous about this one? Is it because the Thunder’s lost two straight and it feels like we’ll never win again? Is it because OKC is playing the Timberwolves a second time in just four days? Is it because the other two games have been unnecessarily close? Is it because I’m a slightly paranoid Thunder fan that isn’t totally used to winning? Yeah, it’s probably that last one. Read more…
Preview
Minnesota Timberwolves
(Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOX SCORE
You expected Oklahoma City to lack some energy tonight. You expected the Thunder to come out flat. But after a 13-2 start to the game, it looked like the were no heavy legs, at least on the Thunder side. But sometimes the fatigue doesn’t hit you right away. It sneaks up on you later on and when you let your guard down, the other guy strikes. And that’s what happened to the Thunder in Minnesota tonight.
OKC kept the Timberwolves at an arms length for most of the game, but a breakdown to end the third quarter allowed Minnesota to come all the way back and actually take a lead in the fourth quarter. It was clearly a fatigue issue, both mentally and physically. But like good teams have the ability to do, the Thunder clamped down and turned it on, going on a 9-0 run to seize control again. It was one of those weird games where OKC had control of the game, while losing complete control of the game. I know that doesn’t make sense, but that’s really how it was. Read more…
Recap
Minnesota Timberwolves
vs. 
OKC Thunder (32-21, 16-11 road) at Minnesota Timberwolves (13-43, 9-19 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 753)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 6:00 CST
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 106.0 (20th), Timberwolves – 101.2 (29th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 102.5 (3rd), Timberwolves – 110.3 (27th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.4 (16th), Timberwolves – 95.9 (3rd)
View from the enemy: Howlin T-Wolf
First a little news: From Adrian Wojnarowski: “OKC is planning to sign Antonio Anderson of D-League’s Rio Grande — 15 ppg and 6 assists — to 10 day contract, league source says.” So there’s that.
No time to reflect on last night’s thriller. It’s on to the next one for the Thunder. Luckily, they aren’t in Cleveland or Denver, but in Minneapolis. But all the same, this is a game Oklahoma City is certainly capable of losing. Especially considering three starters played 47 minutes last night. Read more…
Preview
Minnesota Timberwolves
BOX SCORE
We were waiting. And waiting. And waiting.
When would Oklahoma City lock down, go on a run and finally put this one on ice? Twice I thought it had happened. After a 15-0 run in the third, OKC seized control. But Minnesota had a response. Then after the Wolves closed and took an 84-83 lead late in the fourth, the Thunder ripped off another run accented by five straight from Jeff Green and then six straight from Kevin Durant to go up eight.
But again, Minnesota wouldn’t die. After Al Jefferson connected on a little hook shot, the Wolves had it back to 94-92 with 41 seconds left. And following Russell Westbrook’s seventh turnover, the Thunder got a big stop after Serge Ibaka defended Jefferson perfectly on the block.
But again, this game wouldn’t die. OKC couldn’t get the ball inbounds and Minny picked up a turnover. But that’s when Jeff Green came up with ANOTHER game saving play as he denied Corey Brewer at the rim on a play that would’ve tied the game with two seconds left. Read more…
Recap
Minnesota Timberwolves
vs. 
OKC Thunder (23-18, 11-9 road) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (9-33, 6-15 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 753)
Stream: Click Here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CST
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 106.2 (20th), Wolves – 100.0 (29th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.2 (4th), Wolves – 109.9 (23rd)
Pace: Thunder – 92.2 (18th), Wolves – 96.1 (4th)
View from the enemy: Howlin’ T-Wolf
Lock up win No. 24 and let’s move on, right? Not right. It’s not because there could be a potential letdown after the big win in Atlanta Monday. I don’t think this Thunder team is really a letdown kind of group. It’s because Minnesota isn’t as bad as their record says. I’m serious. Talent is on that roster and they’ve been competitive, especially as of late. The way they’re playing close but yet losing reminds me a little of OKC a year ago. Read more…
Preview
Minnesota Timberwolves
