| |
|
NBA -- Unafraid of Thunder, Wolves beat OKC
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 22 Dec 2012
CHICAGO -- The best team in the NBA with a 21-4 record and a 12-game winning streak, the rolling OKC Thunder stormed into Minneapolis, Minnesota on Thursday night looking for a fresh victim and a chance to create more distance between them and the rest of the chasing league
But the host Timberwolves had other plans. Behind the 28 points of All-Star forward Kevin Love, who drained 4-of-9 threes, Minnesota turned back the Thunder, 99-93, at the Target Center.
"A very good win against the best team in the West. What I really liked about it is how we played four quarters. We knew they were going to make a run at us, but we got some stops and made some shots down the stretch. Just a terrific win for our guys," Timberwolves head coach Rick Adelman told NBA.com.
Superstar Kevin Durant exploded for 33 points while sidekick Russell Westbrook finished with 30. But it wasn't enough to save the Thunder, who made only 33-of-82 field goals (40.2 percent) and 5-of-20 threes (25 percent).
Trailing for most of the game, the Thunder inched to within 80-77 off a pair of Durant free throws with still 8:56 to go. But reserve J.J. Barea, who helped the Dallas Mavericks win the NBA title in 2011, rescued the Wolves by scoring 14 fourth quarter points, including three threes.
Nikola Pakovic, Minnesota's hulking 6-foot-11, 290-pound center, turned in 24 points and 10 rebounds. Barea ended with a total of 18 while Alexey Shved added 12 for Minnesota, which converted 37-of-84 field goals and 9-of-20 threes.
Despite their little stumble, the 21-5 Thunder still leads the NBA while the Timberwolves moved up to a modest 13-11. (Homer D. Sayson)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Manny Pacquiao vs. Rolly Romero in January 2026? Boxing Legend Eyes One More Run at Glory
By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 13 Oct 202511 martial arts in BP 2025
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025NM Medina beats Slovak GM, draws with FM Castellano to win the 8th AQ Prime FIDE Standard Open Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025“The Wonder Boy” Carl Jammes Martin Ready to Shine October 29 at the 50th Anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila (Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 19: JOE FRAZIER FIGHTS ALI, QUARRY AND ELLIS AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025Berchelt captures "Reynosa" WBC commemorative belt after triumphant return
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025Supeyia Fights Mamdouh in Brico Santig’s Thailand Show; Elmo Traya and Raymond Yanong Also in Action Oct 25 LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025PIJUS LABUTIS MAKES HISTORY WITH MAIDEN MATCHROOM MAJOR TRIUMPH IN HANOI
, Mon, 13 Oct 2025ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV DEFEATS DAVE ALLEN AND DEMANDS TO FACE AJ NEXT
, Sun, 12 Oct 2025Domingo faces Fajardo in Thrilla in Manila 2 Countdown
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025Doroma-Aranas 2 on October 13
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FOR FISTS OF FURY 8, TOMORROW NIGHT AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD
, Sun, 12 Oct 2025Alvin Camique Busts the "Mafia" in Tanzania!!!
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025DAY FOUR: NEUHAUSEN, CAPITO, VERGARA AND LABUTIS CHARGE INTO SEMI-FINALS IN HANOI
, Sun, 12 Oct 2025RED OWL BOXING BOXFEST XVI LIVE ON DAZN RESULTS: DEONTE BROWN DEFEATS GRIMARDI MACHUCA
, Sat, 11 Oct 2025SBA Expands Scouting Tour to Discover New Talents for Season 2 Team Expansion
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025Alvin Camigue KOs unbeaten Ibrahin Mafia in Tanzania
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025DARE TO ENTER: ORTIZ VS. LUBIN LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY, GOLDEN BOY ANNOUNCES STACKED PRELIMINARY CARD FEATURING FAN FAVORITES ERIC PRIEST AND ROBIN SAFAR
, Sat, 11 Oct 2025Ennis vs. Lima: Boots is Back in Philly
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025Weigh-in Complete: Philadelphia's Jaron Ennis and Uisma Lima Set for WBA Interim World Title Fight
, Sat, 11 Oct 2025Ronny Alvarez Training Camp Notes Ahead of Most Valuable Prospects 16 on DAZN
, Sat, 11 Oct 2025Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington Featured in Exclusive Global Boxing Network Interview
, Sat, 11 Oct 2025SHEFFIELD WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS ALLEN AND MAKHMUDOV FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TME
, Sat, 11 Oct 2025Manchester says Goodbye to Ricky Hatton
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025DAY THREE: CHUA AND GORST KNOCKED OUT AS BIADO, YAPP AND SHAW MARCH INTO LAST 16
, Sat, 11 Oct 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
