Pregame: Wolves get first real look at Durant-less OKC

The Wolves have just tipped off in Oklahoma City, where they face Russell Westbrook and the Thunder in a real game for the first time since Kevin Durant left town last summer to sign a big free-agent deal with Golden State.

"It's very difficult to guard him individually," Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau said before tonight's rare 5 p.m. Saturday tip. "We have to build a wall, particuarly in transition from half-court to the three-point line. There has to be bodies there."

In this election season I forgot to ask Thibs if he'll get the Thunder to pay for that wall.

Westbrook and the Thunder are 4-1, but coming off a 26-point loss at Golden State Thursday, their first game against Durant since he left town.