Thunder at Timberwolves
The Oklahoma City Thunder continue an extended stretch away from home Wednesday against the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves, who are getting a brief break from a rugged road stretch of their own.
Oklahoma City is 4-3 during a nine-game stretch in which seven games are on the road. The trip concludes Friday at New Orleans before the Thunder return home for four games.
The Thunder dropped a 99-90 decision at Chicago on Monday when Carlos Boozer scored 13 points in the third quarter as the Bulls extended a five-point halftime lead to 16. Kevin Durant scored 29 for the Thunder.
The Timberwolves have lost seven of their last eight games and are 1-3 during a stretch in which nine of 12 games are on the road. After hosting Detroit on Friday, Minnesota heads out again for six straight road contests. Once that trek is completed, the Wolves, who are 4-5 at home but 1-11 on the road, will have played 18 of their first 29 on the road.
In its latest loss Wednesday, Minnesota led by seven at the half against New York but turned it over six straight times in the third as the Knicks took command in the 121-114 victory.
Love scored 21 of his 33 points in the first half and added 15 rebounds and Michael Beasley scored 25 points after missing Saturday’s win against Cleveland with a sprained ankle.
Love, who leads the NBA in rebounding (15.3), has posted 15-plus rebounds in seven straight games, the longest streak in the NBA since Ben Wallace did it 14 straight times in 2003.
Minnesota’s defense has been atrocious, allowing 100 points in 12 of its last 13 games, including seven games of 110-plus. Although the Timberwolves lead the league with 46.7 rebounds, they’re 29th in scoring at 109.3.
The Thunder have been at their best in close games. They are 11-1 in games decided by seven points or less, including 3-0 in overtime, and 9-1 when leading after three quarters. The club is also leading the league in free-throw shooting at 85.5 percent, which is higher than the best mark in league history, an 83.2 percentage posted by the Boston Celtics in 1989-90.
Durant is shooting 92.3 percent and Westbrook is shooting 87.2 percent, leading the league in free throws made (171) and attempts (196).
Oklahoma City extended its winning streak over Minnesota to five games with a 117-107 home victory on Nov. 22. Durant had 28 points and Westbrook added 20 and 14 assists.
Love had 24 points and 17 rebounds and Darko Milicic added 21 for the Wolves. The Thunder have won the last three here and are 59-25 all-time.