The Thunder leave Oklahoma City today and head for the land of 10,000 lakes to take on the Timberwolves. Oklahoma City comes off of a homestand that saw them get a huge win against the Spurs, but followed with losses to the Bulls and Jazz. Things should get easier today as they head to Minnesota, at least on paper you would think that, but the last time Oklahoma City played in Minnesota they got blown out by a score of 129-87. The T-Wolves are struggling though as they return home from a 3 game road trip in which they lost all three games. They are 1-4 in their last 5, and an even worse 2-14 over their last 16 games, and if you want to get really crazy, 3-19 in their last 22 games.
It seems like just yesterday we were talking about the Thunder winning 4 out of 5 games, and 5 out of 7 games, and now all the sudden they have won just one game in their last 5, and if it weren't for the team overcoming a 17 point deficit to San Antonio, it would be 0 wins in their last 5 games. Despite the losses though, this team is still playing hard and competing down to the wire in all of their games. I've never in my life seen a team with such a bad record play as hard and these guys do. It really is a joy and a pleasure to watch guys who are as hungry to win, grow, and improve their game as this team is.
This is also a divisional matchup and will go a long way in determining who will finish last in the division, since these two teams are seperated by just 1 win. Who would have thought that after the 3-29 start, and being called the worst team in the history of the NBA by ESPN, that they'd be here at the end of March climbing out of the cellar and crossing the 20 point win mark? We all new this team was better than that record and what people were saying about them, but this team is even better at this point in the season, than i thought they would be.
Defensively, Randy Foye needs to be the focus, as he's the most potent scorer on the team, but you also have to pay attention to Rookie and former Russell Westbrook teamate Kevin Love. He's averaging 9 rebounds per game, and the Thunder will need to pull him away from the basket and limit his chances at rebounds.
Don't forget the early start time of 2:30pm local.