| |
|
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:
Hebert Conceicao Sousa Wins Perilous Unanimous Decision over Johan Gonzalez in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Prudential Center in Brick City , Sat, 11 Apr 2026ARGENTINE KO KING CHAVES FACES MADUENO IN LAS VEGAS , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Team USA Clinches Eight Medals At 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Weights From ‘Mielnicki vs. Huerta’ Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Boquiren to face Olmillo in RFL on April 18 By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026USA Opens Strong at 2026 Gee Bee Tournament In Helsinki , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas eyes Woman International Master title By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Blazen Rocili "The Filipino Giant" Dominates in Statement Victory at "Rumble in the UNE," Improves to 10-0 , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Oppas to face Lu on April 11 in Australia By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Ilar, Infiesto to play in Guevarra Chess Cup By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Pabular to face Kitano on April 13 at Korakuen Hall By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Five reasons why IBA NOMAD 14 in Almaty is worth watching , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Antonio bounces back in Sydney International Open Chess Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Los Angeles Prospect Jahvad McDermott , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Staying active is Magsayo’s priority By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Abu Bakar ready to rumble against Singh on April 11 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Atty. Aldwin Alegre is set to compete in the 23rd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2026 to be held at the Luxurious Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Thailand from April 11-19, 2026. By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026WEIGH IN RESULTS IGLESIAS VS SILYAGIN - TOMORROW NIGHT IN MONTREAL! , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Kristian Prenga Headlines “Crossroads in Brick City” on June 6 in Newark , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Macala, Silva, Lopez to play in 14th Atty. Jong Guevarra Cup By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Former World Champion Miguel Berchelt Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Sem Japet Enano Stuns Hometown Favorite Tyrell Adams to Claim IBO Oceania Featherweight Title , Thu, 09 Apr 2026IBF lightweight eliminator tops IBA.PRO 17 card in Ufa , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Biasong fights Bustrillo on April 18 in Bukidnon By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026Olmillo fights Boquiren on April 18 in RFL By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|