Timberwolves 99, Thunder 93
Kevin Love scored 28 points, Nikola Pekovic added 24 and host Minnesota never trailed in snapping Oklahoma City's 12-game winning streak.
Jose Barea scored 14 of his 18 points, including three 3-pointers, in the fourth quarter after the Thunder cut the lead to 76-75 early in the period. The defeat, which dropped Oklahoma City's league-best record to 21-5, was its first since losing to Boston on Nov. 23.
Kevin Durant scored 33 points to lead the Thunder. Russell Westbrook added 30 points, but was 9-for-28 from the field and committed 11 turnovers. Kevin Martin, who averages 15.7 points, missed the game because of a right quad contusion.
Love had 11 rebounds while Pekovic pulled down 10 as the Timberwolves snapped a 12-game losing streak against Oklahoma City with their first win over the Thunder since a 129-87 rout on Jan. 7, 2009. Love took a shot to the face during the game and planned to have his eye checked afterward.
Alexey Shved scored 12 points and had 12 assists as Minnesota completed back-to-back games against teams that reached the NBA Finals last season. The Timberwolves lost at Miami on Tuesday. Love scored 11 points in the first quarter to help Minnesota build a 14-point lead.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Durant was whistled for a technical after being charged with an offensive foul with 2:24 remaining in the game. .... Minnesota PG Ricky Rubio was scoreless with three assists in 18 minutes. ... The Timberwolves waived F Josh Howard after an MRI exam revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Howard, who averaged 6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds, was injured on Dec. 14.