Thunder at Timberwolves
THE STORY: The Oklahoma City Thunder received exactly what they hoped from Kevin Durant and friends in a solid season opener. They'll look to repeat the effort Monday night against the host Minnesota Timberwolves, widely considered one of the biggest wild cards coming into the season. Durant showed why he's the two-time defending NBA scoring champion, pouring in 30 points on an array of shots as the Thunder cruised past the visiting Orlando Magic 97-89. Durant went 11-for-19 from the floor and led a potent long-distance attack as the Thunder went 10-for-19 from 3-point range. The Timberwolves will look to improve on a dismal 17-65 showing a season ago - and if this campaign's compact schedule benefits young legs, then Minnesota should be able to steal a few extra victories. An already youthful roster added two key young players in point guard Ricky Rubio and power forward Derrick Thompson. While they - along with rebound king Kevin Love and scoring star Michael Beasley - may not be enough to lead the Timberwolves back to the playoffs this season, they certainly make the team's core that much stronger.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), FS North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE THUNDER (1-0): While Oklahoma City looked dominant at times against the Magic, there were still trouble spots the team will likely look to work on entering Monday. The team committed 18 turnovers - 11 between Durant and point guard Russell Westbrook - while shooting a pedestrian 19 for 26 from the free-throw line. Much of that falls on Durant's shoulders, as he went only 6 for 11 from the stripe.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (0-0): After leading the league in turnovers a season ago, Minnesota is hoping the arrival of Rubio from Spain will help curtail some of the carelessness the team suffered from last year. Rubio is one of the most enigmatic players to emerge in a while, capable of making sensational passes but considered one of the weakest shooters at his position. Rubio had six points, six rebounds and seven assists in 24 minutes of preseason action.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Oklahoma City won all four meetings last season, scoring an average of 112 points in the process. The Thunder have won nine straight encounters overall.
2. Love averaged 25.7 points and 19.7 rebounds in three meetings in 2010-11. That includes a 31-point, 21-rebound showing in a 118-117 loss on Jan. 26.
3. Williams, the second pick in the June draft, had 18 points and five rebounds in 35 minutes of exhibition action over two games.