SB Nation Kansas City - Thunder Vs. Timberwolves: Kevin Durant's 33 Points Lead Oklahoma City Over Minnesota 104-100https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2011-12-27T08:07:30-06:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24267722011-12-27T08:07:30-06:002011-12-27T08:07:30-06:00Thunder Defeat Timberwolves 104-100 On Kevin Durant's 33 Points
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/exbUQvHgNjCYGioT7IQoM5ZwogU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828121/large_kansascity.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The Oklahoma Citiy Thunder are starting out just like they need to in the rushed 2011-12 season. Behind 33 points from star forward Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves by a score of 104-100. It was the Thunder’s second game in as many nights after opening the season with a Christmas day win over the Orlando Magic, a game in which Durant dropped another 30 points in a 97-89 win.</p>
<p>The Timberwolves took a 96-95 lead with just over three minutes remaining on a Ricky Rubio jumper. The Thunder answered back with a Russell Westbrook three point play that put the Thunder back in front for good.</p>
<p>Durant finished 12-23 from the field and was perfect from the free throw line in seven attempts. He also added five rebounds and three assists. Russell Westbrook added 28 points, six rebounds and six assists but once again struggled with turnovers. Westbrook committed seven of the Thunder’s 17 in the game. James Harden came off the bench to score 16 points in 28 minutes of action.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2011/12/27/2663447/thunder-defeat-timberwolves-104-100-on-kevin-durants-33-pointsMatt Conner2011-12-26T21:47:58-06:002011-12-26T21:47:58-06:00Thunder Vs. Timberwolves Final Score: Kevin Durant Scores 33 Points To Lead Oklahoma City Past Minnesota 104-100
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/exbUQvHgNjCYGioT7IQoM5ZwogU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828121/large_kansascity.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span>Kevin Durant</span> scored a game-high 33 points to lead the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> past the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> by a score of 104-100. It was the Thunder's second game in as many nights after opening the season with a Christmas day win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a>. </p>
<p>The Timberwolves took a 96-95 lead with just over three minutes remaining on a <span>Ricky Rubio</span> jumper. The Thunder answered back with a <span>Russell Westbrook</span> three point play that put the Thunder back in front for good. </p>
<p>Durant finished 12-23 from the field and was perfect from the free throw line in seven attempts. He also added five rebounds and three assists. Russell Westbrook added 28 points, six rebounds and six assists but once again struggled with turnovers. Westbrook committed seven of the Thunder's 17 in the game. <span>James Harden</span> came off the bench to score 16 points in 28 minutes of action. </p>
<p>If this game was any indication, the Minnesota Timberwolves are going to be fun to watch this season under new coach <span>Rick Adelman</span>. There seems to be a new culture surrounding the team and there was a lot of energy in the Target Center for this game. </p>
<p>Michael Beasley led the Wolves with 24 points but missed a driving attempt with just three seconds left that would have tied the game. Kevin Love added 22 points and 12 rebounds in the loss. New acquisition J.J. Barea chipped in 14 points off the bench. The game was also the much anticipated debut of rookies Derrick Williams and Ricky Rubio for the Timberwolves. Williams finished with 13 points and was the recipient of a couple of pin point passes from Rubio who finished with six points and six assists in 26 minutes of action. </p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more details on this game be sure to check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City </a>and <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.canishoopus.com/">Canis Hoopus</a>. For all things NBA basketball be sure to check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba">SB Nation's NBA Hub</a>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2011/12/26/2662940/thunder-vs-timberwolves-final-score-kevin-durantKris Willis2011-12-26T20:24:52-06:002011-12-26T20:24:52-06:00Thunder Vs. Timberwolves Score: Russell Westbrook Leads Oklahoma City To 52-46 Halftime Lead
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/exbUQvHgNjCYGioT7IQoM5ZwogU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828121/large_kansascity.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Oklahoma City trailed for much of the first half against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Timberwolves</a> before a late run put them in front at the half by a score of 52-46. Neither team shot the ball particularly well especially from the perimeter. Oklahoma City's late run was fueled by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> putting their head down and taking the ball to the basket. </p>
<p><span>Russell Westbrook</span> came alive late in the half finishing with 17 points and four rebounds on 6-11 shooting. James Hardin also had a nice half off the bench with 14 points and five rebounds. <span>Kevin Durant</span> tossed in 13 points who connected on 40 percent of their shots in the first half but were just 2-12 from three-point-range. </p>
<p><span>Michael Beasley</span> leads the Timberwolves with 13 points but went cold late in the half. <span>Kevin Love</span> has 12 points and six rebounds for Minnesota. <span>Ricky Rubio</span> and <span>Derrick Williams</span> made their regular season debuts in the first quarter. Rubio finished the half with four assists in 10 minutes of action while Williams scored four points. </p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more details on this game be sure to check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City </a>and <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.canishoopus.com/">Canis Hoopus</a>. For all things NBA basketball be sure to check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba">SB Nation's NBA Hub</a>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2011/12/26/2662798/thunder-vs-timberwolves-2011-score-russell-westbrookKris Willis2011-12-26T08:24:44-06:002011-12-26T08:24:44-06:00Thunder Vs. Timberwolves Time, TV Schedule, Preview And More
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/exbUQvHgNjCYGioT7IQoM5ZwogU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828121/large_kansascity.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder hit the road for a match up with Kevin Love and the new-look Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. Tip off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on Fox Sports Oklahoma. </p> <p>Just one day after defeating the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> 97-89 on Christmas Day, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> hit the road for a match up with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> at the Target Center in Minneapolis. <span>Kevin Durant</span> scored 30 points in Oklahoma City's win over the Magic and hopes to do the same against a Minnesota team that the Thunder have defeated nine straight times. </p>
<p>However, things are looking up for the Timberwolves with the emergence of <span>Kevin Love</span> and the hiring of new head coach <span>Rick Adelman</span>. The game will feature the regular season debut of two heralded Minnesota rookies in forward <span>Derrick Williams</span> and international star <span>Ricky Rubio</span>. The Timberwolves are hoping to take a leap forward similar to the way the Thunder did in 2010. </p>
<p>The Thunder are regarded as one of the top teams in the Western Conference again this season and certainly looked the part in their Christmas day victory over the Magic. OKC held <span>Dwight Howard</span> to just 11 points and led by as many as 22 points in the game. </p>
<p><b>Game date/time:</b> Monday, December 26, 8:00 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota</p>
<p><b>TV Coverage:</b> Fox Sports Oklahoma, Fox Sports North</p>
<p><b>Online Streaming:</b> NBA League Pass Broadband</p>
<p><i>For more details on this game be sure to check out <a href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City </a>and <a href="http://www.canishoopus.com/">Canis Hoopus</a>. For all things NBA basketball be sure to check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba">SB Nation's NBA Hub</a>. </i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2011/12/26/2661551/thunder-vs-timberwolves-time-tv-schedule-preview-and-moreKris Willis