| |
|
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:
2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Set to Compete at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria , Sun, 22 Feb 2026SMEP, SAEP round 6 standoff in PTC WED NEMO 4th D’ Engineers Chess Cup By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 22 Feb 2026Late Valentine’s gift for Lover Boy By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026“Prince” Albert Pagara Heads to Perth, Australia, for WBC Australasia Title Fight By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026BARRIOS vs GARCIA (FIGHT ANALYSIS) By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026FLOYD MAYWEATHER UNRETIRES , Sat, 21 Feb 2026WBC Introduces new award "WBC Main Event" world championship Chain & Pendant By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026WOOD-WARRINGTON II OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR SOLD-OUT REMATCH IN NOTTINGHAM , Sat, 21 Feb 2026"Rompete la Madre" documentary is now in the Mexican theaters By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026A Massive Weekend Ahead for Renowned Trainer Bob Santos , Sat, 21 Feb 2026Barrios vs Garcia: Where Art Thou Ryan Garcia? By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Pacman bout details revealed By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026IIEE to defend Billiard crown in PTC World 2026, World Champ Magpantay is PSA Awardee By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Wood-Warrington II Press Conference Quotes: Everything that Was Said Ahead of Saturday's Sold-Out Rematch in Nottingham , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Opponents for Rising Stars Jimuel Pacquiao Jr. and Curmel Moton on Feb. 28 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Rising Star Promotions Returns to Prudential Center April 10 LIVE ON PROBOX TV , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Sante Barley Trilogy Leg 1 on March 29 in Azuela By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Team Rapid chess tourney goes to Pasay City on March 8 By Marlon Bernardino By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 20263rd Horse Show & competition scheduled on February 21-22 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026Robinsons Bacolod Chess Festival set By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando , Thu, 19 Feb 2026Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia , Thu, 19 Feb 2026BREAKING NEWS: DAZN AND MATCHROOM BOXING SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR DEAL , Thu, 19 Feb 202675 climbers start trekking to Mt. Apo today , Thu, 19 Feb 20264 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Thu, 19 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|