7 p.m. vs. Oklahoma City • Target Center • FSN, 830-AM
Preview: Two teams coming off difficult opening-night victories meet. The Wolves survived a scare at the hands of Orlando thanks to Kevin Love's game-tying three-pointer late in regulation and Kevin Martin's overtime production. Kevin Durant scored 42 points to lead the Thunder past a pesky Utah club. The Wolves and Thunder split four games last season, with the home team winning every game.
Players to watch: In his last three games vs. Oklahoma City, Love has hit on 31 of 61 shots, including 12 of 23 three-pointers, averaging 33.7 points and 12.3 rebounds. Martin faces the team he played for last season, coming off a 23-point performance. Durant's 42 points at Utah included a 22-for-24 performance on free throws. It was the most opening-night points in the NBA since the 2010-11 season. In his career vs. the Timberwolves, Durant has averaged 27.9 points per game, shooting 48.9 percent on three-point shots.
Numbers: With a third-quarter free throw Wednesday, Love became the fifth player to score 5,000 or more points in a Wolves uniform, joining Kevin Garnett, Sam Mitchell, Wally Szczerbiak and Doug West. His 31 points was the second-highest opening-night total in team history (Kevin Garnett had 34 in 1999). He also had a double-double and his 19th game with at least 30 points and 15 rebounds.
Injuries: Wolves F Chase Budinger (knee surgery) is out. Thunder G Russell Westbrook (knee) is out.
KENT YOUNGBLOOD