The Minnesota Timberwolves visited the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night (October 22) at OCT's Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. It was the Timberwolves third game this season and their second winning game as well after claiming victory over the Utah Jazz (100-97) on October 20. The visitors shot in the overall 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from the three-point range and 83 percent from the free throw line. They outrebounded the home squad 45-36 in this one but had 17 turnovers compared to the 11 for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
NBA game recap
The Minnesota Timberwolves started off the game solid as they outscored the Oklahoma City Thunder after the first period of the game, 28-23. Midway through the second quarter, the Thunder answered a 14-8 run and tied the score at 43-43. But still, the Timberwolves were in front at the end of the halftime with 61-54.
The Timberwolves kept their lead in the third quarter as they finished the period 27-21 and increased the difference to double-digits of 13 points. However, the Thunder came back with a great final quarter of their own as they had 38-27 run throughout. Carmelo Anthony and the OCT thought they already won the game with just five seconds left for the opponent to score back.
But Timberwolves' Wiggins banked in his three-pointer few step inside halfcourt that helped the Timberwolves won the game against the OCT, 115-113.
Anthony and Wiggins with 27 points
Karl Anthony and Andrew Wiggins led the way for the Minnesota Timberwolves with team-high 27 points each. Anthony dropped double-double as he had 12 rebounds in addition to his 27 points.
Wiggins, on the other hand, added seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 39 minutes off the bench. He shot only 29 percent from beyond the arc but banking in his last three-pointer with less than five seconds left made him the hero for his team to outscore the OCT.
Three other players who also contributed double-digit points to the Timberwolves were Taj Gibson, Jimmy Butler, and Jeff Tigue.
Tigue had 19 points, hitting 5-of-7 field shots and one three-pointer. Gibson and Butler also added 11 and 15 points off the bench, respectively.
Westbrook with game-high 31 points
In their previous game against the Utah Jazz on October 21, Russell Westbrook only provided six points to the Thunder in 36 minutes of a game time. But during his game against the Timberwolves last night (October 22), he had the game-high 31 points in leading his team. He also added five rebounds and game-high 10 assists.
Next to Westbrook was Carmelo Anthony to contributed 23 points to go along with his two rebounds, two assist and three steals. Steven Adams shot 8-of-12 field attempts and one free throw to add 17 points for the OCT and grabbed 13 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to play against the Indiana Pacers on October 25, 8 PM.