OKC Thunder: 3 keys to beating the Timberwolves

OKC Thunder key no. 3 – Capitalize on advantages

Three teams are ranked in the bottom ten of the three core categories (defense, offense, and net differential). They are the Wolves, Pistons, and the Magic. The Thunder just barely makes it out of that grouping because of their defense. The back-to-back blowout losses to the Nets and Rockets certainly didn’t help their totals.

The Wolves rank 29th offensively (104.0), 23rd defensively (112.3), and 30th in net differential (minus 8.3).

Comparatively, the Thunder rank 28th offensively (104.5), 20th defensively (111.5), and 29th in net differential (minus 7.0).

The oddity of these rankings is how quickly a team can fall down or climb up based on a few games. For example, the two losses to the Nets (minus 22) and Rockets (minus 30) dramatically impacted the Thunder rating defensively and net differential. Still, it’s fair to state OKC as being in that the lower tier since they don’t deliver consistently.

There is a trio of areas the team can look to capitalize versus the Timberwolves. They rank 28th in defensive rebounding so the OKC Thunder need to crash the boards. Minny ranks 27th for opponent fast break scoring allowing 14.5 points per game and 29th in opponent scoring in the paint (51.5).

While the Thunder doesn’t tend to score a lot on the fast break Mark Daigneault will likely have this in the game plan as well as driving the ball given how many points the Wolves give up in the paint. Granted, if KAT returns whether today or Saturday that will impact the Wolves ability to protect the rim.

All stats courtesy of basketball reference or NBA Stats.

Game specifics:

Records:

• Thunder: 9-11
• Timberwolves: 5-16

The Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Tipoff:  8:00 PM ET  | 7:00 PM CT

TV: Fox Sports  Oklahoma | NBA League Pass

Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC

Odds:

Injuries:

After losing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the team also lost Luguentz Dort early in the Wednesday match versus the Rockets meaning three starters were out. They are all expected to miss this game although SGA is listed as potentially returning for the second game of this back-to-back set.

There have been previous games where players were listed as being out but and then suited up but as of this posting, the following is the injured reserve list.

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

Thunder:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (knee) listed as out until February 6th.
• George Hill (thumb) expected to be out until early March.
• Luguentz Dort (knee) out with the potential to return on February 6th.
• Ty Jerome (ankle) – out indefinitely
• Trevor Ariza (personal) out indefinitely

Timberwolves:

• D’Angelo Russell (quad) will be  a game-time decision
• Naz Reid (wrist) will be a game-time decision
• Karl-Anthony Towns has missed 10 games after testing positive for COVID-19, he’s slated to return February 6th which would have him playing in the second game of this back-to-back set.
• Jarrett Culver (ankle) is out until January 10th.

History:

The Thunder possesses the all-time record between the clubs have won 85 of their 121 meetings. In the 2019-20 season, the teams played three times with the Thunder sweeping the regular-season series.

Enjoy the game and check back tomorrow for grades and three takeaways.