TWolves @ Thunder | Preview & Prediction

By Don Phillips
Friday, Jan. 15, 7:00 p.m. ET
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Oklahoma City Thunder
ESPN

Last Game: Tuesday, Jan. 12 – Oklahoma City 101, Minnesota 96

Kevin Durant scored 30 points, including the final 12 for Oklahoma City, and Russell Westbrook added 22 points and 11 assists to hold off the Wolves, 101-96, on Tuesday night at Target Center. Steven Adams’ basket capped a 15-2 start for the Thunder, who went on to lead 32-21 after one quarter. Minnesota shaved a 14-point deficit to nine before Westbrook’s 3-pointer beat the halftime buzzer to restore a 60-48 cushion for Oklahoma City.

The Thunder grabbed their biggest lead when Westbrook made it 78-60 with 4:46 left in the third period, and remained in front 86-71 following a pair of Enes Kanter free throws with 8:15 remaining in the fourth. However, Zach LaVine’s three-point play triggered an 8-0 comeback and an Andrew Wiggins dunk pulled the Wolves to within 89-86 at the 3:15 mark.

Durant answered four consecutive Minnesota scores with baskets, the final one keeping Oklahoma City on top 97-92 with 23.7 seconds left, and sealed the victory with four free throws. Kanter finished with 18 points for the Thunder, while Wiggins led Minnesota with 22 points, LaVine added 21 and Shabazz Muhammad had 20.

On Jan. 4, Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns was named the NBA’s Western Conference Rookie of the Month for December. Towns, the top overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, led all rookies in scoring (18.6 ppg), rebounding (9.5 rpg), FG accuracy (55.3%) and minutes played (30.4 mpg) while ranking 2nd in blocked shots (1.56 bpg) and 3rd in FT accuracy (82.8%).

He registered five games with 25+ points and 10+ rebounds, tying the highest total in a calendar month by any rookie since Tim Duncan had eight in March 1998. He tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks Dec. 9 vs. the Lakers and totaled 25 points, a season-high 16 rebounds and three blocks Dec. 21 at Boston. It’s Towns’ second straight monthly honor; he’s one of seven Wolves rookies to earn the award, joining Stephon Marbury (January 1997), Randy Foye (December 2006), Kevin Love (March 2009), Ricky Rubio (January 2012), Gorgui Dieng (March 2014) and Andrew Wiggins (four times in 2014-15).

Tonight at Chesapeake Energy Arena, the Thunder will return home after going 2-1 on the team’s recent three game road swing. Entering tonight’s contest, the Thunder has gone 19-4 this season when facing Western Conference opponents (OKC is 12-1 this season at home vs. the West). Additionally, OKC has gone 16-4 in the last 20 games.

During this span, the Thunder has outscored the opposition by a margin of 109.2 to 99.6 (9.6 point differential). Through 39 games this year, Oklahoma City ranks second in the NBA in scoring (108.7 ppg) while ranking third in both field goal shooting percentage (.475 FGs) and rebounding (47.2 rpg). Additionally, the Thunder currently ranks third in the NBA in blocked shots (6.59 bpg).

National Basketball Association fans will find the Thunder a 12½-point favorite with the total set at 208½ at the best offshore sportsbook for this contest. Looking for some extra advice on this game or any other going on tonight? Have a look at A1 Service Plays for free plays and picks from professional handicappers.

Selection: Oklahoma City