Oklahoma City Thunder (25-2, first in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-10, sixth in the Western Conference)
Minneapolis; Friday 9:30 p.m. ET
BETMGM Sportsbook Line: Thunder -7.5; Over/Under 227.5
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Bottom line: Oklahoma City will try to keep its eight-game winning streak alive when the Thunder take on Minnesota.
The Timberwolves are 3-3 against the rest of the division. Minnesota is averaging 14.1 3-pointers per game, ranking ninth in the NBA, and shooting 37.6 percent from the field. Anthony Edwards averaged 3.4 shots per game and shot 41.6% from three-point range, ranking first on the team.
The Thunder have a 21-2 record against Western Conference opponents. Oklahoma City is the top team in the Western Conference, allowing only 106.1 points per game, while its opponents shoot only 42.8% from the field.
The Timberwolves are shooting 48.3% from the field this season, which is 5.5 percentage points higher than the Thunder’s field goal percentage (42.8%). The Thunder shot 49.6% from the field, which was 3.4% higher than the 46.2% field goal percentage of the Timberwolves’ opponents this season.
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The two teams met for the second time this season. On November 27, the Thunder won 113-105, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 40 points in the victory.
Top performer: Julius Randle averaged 23.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists for the Timberwolves. In the past 10 games, Donte DiVincenzo averaged 19.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, shooting 37.5% from the field.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.4 points and 6.4 assists for the Thunder. Isaiah Joe is averaging 4.0 three-pointers per game over the past 10 games.
Last 10 games: Timberwolves: 7 wins and 3 losses, averaging 119.1 points, 43.2 rebounds, 28.0 assists, 6.6 steals and 4.5 blocks per game, shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents average 115.1 points per game.
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Thunder: 9 wins and 1 loss, averaging 123.7 points, 43.4 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 10.0 steals and 4.9 blocks per game, shooting 51.6% from the field. Their opponents average 105.9 points per game.
Injuries: Timberwolves: Mike Conley: out (Achilles), Anthony Edwards: day-to-day (foot).
Thunder: Nikola Topic: Out (groin), Isaiah Hartenstein: Day-to-day (foot), Thomas Sauber: Out for the season (knee), Jaylin Williams: Day-to-day (foot).
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The Associated Press produced this report using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
