Wolves gameday
6 P.M. at Oklahoma City • Chesapeake Energy Arena • ESPN, 830-AM
Preview: The two teams didn't play each other in the season's opening two months. Now they meet for the second time in four days. Oklahoma City has beaten the Wolves eight consecutive times. … The Thunder (28-12) is 17-4 in its past 21 games and has outscored the opposition by an average 10.1 points in that stretch. … The Thunder is 13-1 at home against the West. ... The Wolves have lost eight in a row and 12 of 13. … Note the early 6 p.m. start time. It is the first game of an ESPN doubleheader.
Players to watch: Thunder star Kevin Durant has scored at least 20 points in 25 consecutive games since he missed six games earlier this season because of a strained hamstring. It's the NBA's longest current streak. In those games the Thunder is 20-5 and Durant is averaging 26.7 points on 51.7 shooting. … Durant is third in the league in scoring with 26.7 ppg, and teammate Russell Westbrook is sixth (24.8). … Westbrook was ejected Wednesday after tangling with Dallas guard J.J. Barea. He played only 14 minutes and went scoreless in a game for only the second time in his career on a night when Dallas rested all of its starters. ... Andrew Wiggins has had four consecutive 20-point games for the Wolves, averaging 26.5 points in that span. …. Point guard Ricky Rubio has 11 games of 10 assists or more this season and 80 for his career, one shy of Pooh Richardson's team record. … Rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns tied a career high 16 rebounds Wednesday at Houston.
Injuries: Neither team is reporting an injury.
jerry zgoda