Thunder vs Timberwolves: Pregame Primer

vs.

Thunder (9-13, 3-8 road) vs. Timberwolves (5-16, 3-8 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma
Stream:  Click here
Radio:  WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 101.8 (24th), T-Wolves – 101.7 (25th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 102.3 (6th), T-Wolves – 111.8 (28th)

Four straight. Six out of seven.

Oklahoma City now sits just 2.5 games behind the Phoenix Suns for the eight spot out West.

Kevin Durant is back, Russell Westbrook is BACK, and things are turning around in ThunderLand much earlier than many projected. Oklahoma City’s focus has taken a turn from ‘Can they make the playoffs?’ to ‘How high in the standings can they climb?’. Barring another injury, this Thunder team is set for a wild, 60-game ride chasing down contender after contender between now and April.

Let’s see about game 23.

The Matchup

Over the last few years Minnesota has been the sneaky tough divisional opponent for the Thunder whether on the road or at home. Fortunately for the Thunder the two main culprits in those tough games, Kevin Love and J.J. Barea, now play on teams not named the Timberwolves.

The Thunder draw a young Wolves team currently decimated by injuries. Here’s a list of who’s out tonight against the Thunder: Kevin Martin (wrist), Nikola Pekovic (ankle), Ricky Rubio (ankle), Ronny Turiaf (hip), and Mo Williams is doubtful with back spasms.

At 5-16 and dead last in the Western Conference, the Wolves will need Anthony Bennett to look like 03′ Kevin Garnett tonight against the surging Thunder. This team is athletic, with Zach Lavine running the point, and rookie Andrew Wiggins along side him, they can really get up and down the floor if OKC decides to get lazy in transition.

The Reaper made his return in the final two minutes last night, scoring the team’s final eight points. Look for Durant to come out more aggressive as he gets more comfortable on his foot. The cutting, and planting that we’ve seen from Durant pre-injury is starting to return, which spells bad news for everyone else.

This will be OKC’s final game before another big one when Phoenix comes to the Peake. A strong final tune-up would do a great deal for this team’s confidence heading into Sunday.

Thursday’s COTN: “Just got back from my first live Thunder game of the season!  My dad and I won a pair of free tickets in the pregame raffle, landing us one row from the very back.  Had a ton of fun, didn’t mind much that LeBron was out.  Most memorable performance:  I hate to say it but probably Joey Crawford.  Straight up took over the game from 7:30 – 1:30 of the 4th quarter.  Unnecessary talking to the score table people.  Phantom foul for Ibaka’s 6th.  Double tech when he wasn’t even watching what was going on.  It was basically the perfect Crawford game.

Oh, and Russ is a BEAST!” -@DoctorNasty

First ever Thunder game is an occasion worth celebrating. #BroNight

Tip at 7:00 CT. Go winning road-record.