wolves gameday

7 P.M. VS. oklahoma city • TARGET CENTER • FSN, 830-AM

Preview: It just gets easier for the Timberwolves in a rare five-game week that started with Chicago now includes the Lakers, the Thunder and the Grizzlies in a row, including Friday and Saturday games back-to-back at Target Center. The Thunder (53-19) has won three in a row and 14 of 18 in a stretch that started with a 127-111 home victory over the Wolves on Feb. 22. The Thunder leads the four-game season series 2-1 after losing at Target Center 99-93 just before Christmas and then winning in Oklahoma City twice.

Player to watch: Thunder F Kevin Durant is on pace to joining Larry Bird as the only players in NBA history to average at least 28 points while shooting better than 50 percent from the floor, 90 percent from free-throw line and 40 percent from three-point range. Bird did it during the 1986-87 season. Durant leads the league in scoring with a 28.2 average and is aimed at winning a fourth consecutive NBA scoring title, all before his 25th birthday. Only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain have won more in a row, and each won seven consecutive.

Injuries: Wolves F Kevin Love (hand surgery), G Brandon Roy (knees) and G Malcolm Lee (hip, knee surgeries) are all out, unless of Love gets his hand scanned again, gets approved by his doctor before game time and makes a most unexpected return, like he did the last time. The Thunder reports no injuries.

JERRY ZGODA