Thunder vs Timberwolves preview and gamethread: Will OKC finally show they can compete with Minnesota?

Game: Oklahoma City Thunder @ Minnesota Timberwolves

Time: 2:30 CST

Location: Target Center, Minneapolis

Broadcast: ABC

Counterpart: Canis Hoopus

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The Thunder head to Minnesota today to take on the Timberwolves in the 4th and final game of their regular season series. The 2018-19 season has been rough on the Thunder when it comes to the Wolves, as Minny owns a 3-0 series lead and Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns have taken turns carving up the Thunder.

In the most recent outing, along with Towns dominating the Thunder, the OKC defense was a primary culprit. They allowed the Wolves to shoot 53% from the floor and 50% from three. Meanwhile, OKC fell into the 3-point trap, hoisting 46 of them, including 24 from Westbrook/George. The poor shooting early on led to a double-digit deficit that the Thunder could never quite overcome.

First half defense has been a consistent theme in OKC’s struggles during the final 3rd of the season, allowing nearly every opposing team to get off to fast and easy starts, putting the Thunder in the hole. However, their offense has not helped out much in this regard, with poor shooting and impatient offense often leading to easy buckets on the other end. By contrast, in their most recent outing, the Thunder displayed far more patience and purpose on offense, and it enabled them to tighten their defense in the 4th for the win.

The Thunder need this game far more than the Wolves do, but it remains to be seen whether they can solve the Wolves’ offensive attack. A solution for Towns, plus greater patience on offense, could spell the difference today.