Thunder at Timberwolves
The Oklahoma City Thunder look to defeat Minnesota for the third time
this month and the 10th consecutive time overall when they visit the
Timberwolves on Wednesday. Oklahoma City won January's previous two
matchups by an average of 12.5 points and have emerged victorious in 23
of the last 26 meetings.
The Thunder have won eight of their past nine games and small forward Kevin Durant fueled the latest victory by scoring a season-high 44 points in Tuesday's 128-122 overtime win over the New York Knicks. Point guard Russell Westbrook is also rolling and his 30-point performance versus New York marks his seventh outing of 20 or more points this month. Minnesota has dropped 16 of its last 19 games and has the second-worst record in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves are 7-17 at home but have won their last two - against Phoenix and Memphis.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Oklahoma, FSN North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE THUNDER (34-13): The 40-point outing was the second of the season for Durant - he scored 43 points against the Orlando Magic on Oct. 30 - and he also collected 14 rebounds as Oklahoma City topped 100 points for the 16th time in 17 games. "I'm not really into how many points I score anymore," Durant told reporters after running his streak of 20-plus point games to 32. "I try to play winning and consistent basketball. If I play a good brand of basketball, if I play the right way, that stuff will come." Shooting guard Dion Waiters (14 points in 43 minutes) moved into the starting lineup on at least a temporary basis in place of Andre Roberson, who will miss three-plus weeks with a knee injury.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (14-32): Rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns has lived up to being the No. 1 overall selection and has scored 20 or more points in three of the past four games. Towns is averaging 21.8 points and 12.5 rebounds during his latest hot streak to raise his season averages to 16.1 points and 9.7 rebounds. Shooting guard Andrew Wiggins was the NBA's Rookie of the Year last season and has scored 20 or more points in eight of the past 10 games to increase his scoring output to 20.8.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Durant is averaging 25.5 points against the Timberwolves this season, while Wiggins is averaging 23.5 versus the Thunder.
2. Oklahoma City C Steven Adams (elbow) returned from a two-game absence and contributed nine points and eight rebounds against the Knicks.
3. Minnesota starting PF Kevin Garnett (knee) and backup SG Kevin Martin (wrist) will both miss their second consecutive contest.