| |
|
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:
JESSE RODRIGUEZ CHALLENGES ANTONIO VARGAS FOR WBC BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE IN GLENDALE ON JUNE 13
, Sat, 18 Apr 2026WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND PHOTOS FROM SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS - TOMORROW, APRIL 18 AT FRONTWAVE ARENA IN OCEANSIDE, CALIF.
, Sat, 18 Apr 2026OFFICIAL ‘REVOLUTION’ WEIGHTS FROM CORK, IRELAND
, Sat, 18 Apr 2026MIKHAIL GRIGORYAN DEFEATS JEO SANTISIMA, CROWNED NEW IBF ASIA LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION IN SERPUKHOV
By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026Ra’eese Aleem Vows Victory Over Angelo Leo Ahead of May 9th IBF Title Fight in Atlanta
, Sat, 18 Apr 2026WCM Nika Juris Nicolas 10th in Serbia
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026JESSE ‘BAM’ RODRIGUEZ PENS LONG TERM EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN AND MATCHROOM
, Sat, 18 Apr 2026Hermie Rivera: A Fil-Am Original
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AS BEN WHITTAKER TAKES ON BRAIAN SUAREZ – LIVE ON DAZN
, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Lerasan to fight for WBO Asian Pacific bantam title
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Fuentes is now ready to fight in Juego Todo
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026LIVERPOOL FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS WHITTAKER GETS READY FOR TOUGH SUAREZ TEST – LIVE ON DAZN
, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Ancajas to fight as feather against Garcia on April 18
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026MVP presents Delgado-Artiga by WBA superflyweight championship on June 13 in Orlando
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Mexican legend Miguel Canto passes away
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026King Lovick Monteadora to see action in 2026 Hainan Taekwondo Open
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Quiñonero suffers injury, cancels debut in Juego Todo
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: A Great Night of Boxing in Japan
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026FOSTER DEFENDS WORLD SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST FORD IN HOUSTON ON MAY 30
, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II at Norfolk’s Scope Arena
, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Nothing But Sportz and Ronald Johnson’s Dream Team Foundation to Donate 500 Tickets to Miami Youth for Historic May 2 Fight Night
, Fri, 17 Apr 2026CHARLIE SHEEHY PENS PROMOTIONAL PACT WITH MATCHROOM
, Fri, 17 Apr 2026BEN WHITTAKER OPENS UP ON HIS AMERICAN DREAM, CALL-OUTS AND HEADLINING IN 'SPECIAL CITY' LIVERPOOL THIS SATURDAY – LIVE ON DAZN
, Thu, 16 Apr 2026IBA partners with Global Boxing Series for landmark fight night in Navi Mumbai
, Thu, 16 Apr 2026IM Arca finishes 2nd in Thailand Blitz
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
