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Preview: The Timberwolves begin a grueling early schedule by playing a Thunder team that opened its season Sunday night with a 97-89 home victory over Orlando. ... Oklahoma City swept last season's four-game series, which included a 118-117 overtime victory at Target Center in January. Fourteen of the past 19 meetings have been decided by single-digit margins.

Players to watch: Thunder All-Star and MVP candidate Kevin Durant last season became the 11th player in NBA history to win consecutive scoring titles. By averaging 27.7 points, he joined Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan, George Gervin, Bob Mc-Adoo, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Neil Johnston and George Mikan as the only ones to do so. If he wins the title again this season, he'll be the first player to do that since Jordan from 1995-98. ... Durant and All-Star teammate Russell Westbrook combined for 49.6 points per game last season, second only to the 52.2 points that Dwyane Wade and Le- Bron James scored for Miami.

Numbers: The Wolves are starting the season at home for the 11th consecutive year. They are 10-1 in those openers, the only blemish being a 2007 loss to Denver.

Injuries: Wolves C Nikola Pekovic is out for about a week because of a groin injury . G Martell Webster (back surgery) and C Brad Miller (knee surgery) also are out. G Ricky Rubio (sprained ankle) and G J.J. Barea (quad contusion) are both expected to play. ... Thunder F Lazar Hayward -- acquired from the Wolves for two second-round picks in a training-camp trade that made room on the Wolves' roster to sign Barea -- is listed as out because of an injured thumb.

JERRY ZGODA