Preview: The Timberwolves started the post All-Star break with a home victory over Philadelphia, while the Thunder lost in Houston. Oklahoma City has lost three straight regular-season games for the first time since April 2012.
Players to watch: Wolves C Nikola Pekovic had 27 points and tied a career high with 18 rebounds vs. Philadelphia. F Derrick Williams has shot 18-for-38 overall his past three games, including 5-for-11 on three-pointers. Thunder F Kevin Durant is coming off perhaps his least effective game of the season. He scored 16 points against Houston on Wednesday, his second-lowest total of the season, and shot a season-low 30.8 percent from the field. Durant has averaged 27.5 points and 7.1 rebounds in 21 career games vs. Minnesota. G/F Thabo Sefolosha scored a career-high 28 points vs. Houston. Russell Westbrook also had 28 vs. the Rockets.
Numbers: Wednesday marked the second time in franchise history the Wolves got just one field goal in a quarter. The Wolves are 2-0 in those games. The Wolves' victory in Cleveland Feb. 11 broke an eight-game road losing streak. The Thunder is 23-4 at home this season. The Wolves' last victory in Oklahoma City came on Nov. 28, 2008.
Injuries: Wolves F Kevin Love (hand surgery), F Chase Budinger (knee surgery), G Malcolm Lee (hip and knee surgery) and G Brandon Roy (right knee) are out. Oklahoma C Kendrick Perkins (left knee strain) is listed as day-to-day.
KENT YOUNGBLOOD
