OKC Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 2019-20 team preview

Contract Situation by category:

Guaranteed: Josh Okogie, Jeff Teague, Andrew Wiggins, Keita Bates-Diop, Robert Covington, Karl-Anthony Towns, Gorgui Dieng, Shabazz Napier, Treveon Graham, Jordan Bell, Jake Layman,
Noah Vonleh, Naz Reid, Jarrett Culver, Jaylen Nolen

Non/Partial Guaranteed: Tyrone Wallace

Two-Way Contracts: Jordan McLaughlin | Kelan Martin

Unsigned or on Exhibit 10: Lindell Wigginton | Jordan Murphy | Tyus Battle

Thunder performance vs. Timberwolves in 2018-19

The Thunder nemesis in the Northwest Division always seems to be the Timberwolves who once again took three out of four games in 2018-19.

December 23, 2018, OKC Thunder versus Minnesota Timberwolves,  Loss: 112 – 114
Andrew Wiggins 30 points, Paul George 31 points

January 8, 2019, OKC Thunder versus Minnesota Timberwolves,   Loss: 117 – 119
Andrew Wiggins 40 points, Paul George 27 points

March 5, 2019, OKC Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves,   Loss: 120 – 131
Karl-Anthony Towns 41 points, Russell Westbrook 38 points

April 7, 2019, OKC Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves,  Win: 132 – 126
Karl-Anthony Towns 27 points, Paul George/Russell Westbrook 27 points

Timberwolves Games versus OKC Thunder in 2019-20:

Away Game: Monday, January 13, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. EST

Away Game: Saturday, January 25, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. EST

Home Game: Friday, December 6, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. EST

Home Game: Friday, March 13, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. EST

Marquee matchup: Karl-Anthony Towns versus Danilo Gallinari

What to expect in the four matches versus Timberwolves this season:

With all the discussion surrounding Wiggins’ capabilities versus his motor, they are never on display against the Thunder. In two games of the matches last season he was Wolves leading scorer and in the other two, he scored above his season average. In the four games vs. OKC he averaged 28.1 points, 5.75 rebounds, and 3.25 assists. In comparison his seasonal stats were 18.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Given Wiggins apparent love for feasting on OKC he’ll need to be accounted for so matching Andre Roberson to guard him makes sense.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

The big issue will be locking down Towns defensively which will fall to one of Gallinari or Adams. Donovan should have Gallo attack him on offense and then throw Adams at him on defense as one thing KAT isn’t fond of is physical play so a healthy dose of the Big Kiwi on him will help.

This season the expectation is Ryan Saunders will have his squad playing in a more of a run and gun style which makes sense given his personnel. Again, Teague is more than capable of running that offense but Donovan should counter by putting Chris Paul or Shai Gilgeous Alexander on him to stop the ball before the Wolves can get out in transition.

As noted above the other presumption is this iteration of the Wolves will be more invested in playing defense (other than KAT) so the Thunder will need to be on their toes since the quartet noted in the strengths section will be hunting for steals and to create turnovers. Given the Thunder are committed to enforcing heavy player and ball movement that will also require everyone to be especially cognizant of that group and be focused with crisp passing.

This is a Northwest divisional foe and as such the teams will meet four times. I may regret saying this but I have a feeling this could be the team the Thunder sweeps this season – even with that strange Wiggins OKC Thunder obsession.