3 Takeaways from the OKC Thunder's loss vs the Minnesota Timberwolves
By Alex Mcewen
Massive Seeding Implications
OKC had an opportunity to claim the West's number one seed with a win, due to the loss the Wolves leapfrogged the Thunder and sit solely in first place at 33-14, as the Thunder fell down to third (32-15) behind their next opponent the Denver Nuggets (33-15.)
The Thunder also had an opportunity to win the season series over the Wolves. Instead, they split their four games 2-2, these results are as follows:
- November 28, 103-106, Timberwolves win
- December 26, 129-106, Thunder win
- January 20, 102-97, Thunder win
- January 29, 101-107, Timberwolves win
Outside of the Thunder's blowout in December, each game was decided by single digits, a total of just 14 points. This was a competitive matchup, that would be fun to see in a seven game series.
Back to seeding, because these two teams split the season series, unlike in more instances regarding tie-breakers it will come down to division record, rather than overall conference record because the Wolves and Thunder are in the same division.
Currently, the Thunder are 9-3 against the Northwest Division, with four division games remaining. OKC has one game vs Denver, two games against the Utah Jazz, and one matchup with Portland.
The Timberwolves sit at 6-2 versus their division, with eight division games remaining. They have three games against the Portland Trailblazers, two contests with the Jazz, and three matchups with the Nuggets.
The race to first is far from finished, and Minnesota's win over the Thunder only further complicates things, which is setting the race up to run until the final days of the regular season.