Time/Date: Fri, Feb 22/8:00 PM ET, Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OKThe Oklahoma City Thunder (39-15) will try to snap a season-worst three-game losing skid when they welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves (20-31) at the Chesapeake Arena on Friday.
After back-to-back losses against Utah and Miami days before the All-Star break, the Thunder suffered a devastating 122-119 road loss against the Rockets on Wednesday and they will be trying to use home advantage tonight to avoid another reverse.
The Thunder have not lost four straight regular-season games since 2008 when the team went on a 10-game losing streak in their inaugural season. Oklahoma City is 23-4 at home after losing to the Miami Heat on Feb. 14; and is also 17-1 at home against Western Conference opponents.
The Thunder acquired the services of former Knick's swingman Ronnie Brewer prior to Thursday?s trading deadline and also dealt reserve point guard Eric Maynor to the Portland Trail Blazers. Brewer, a seven-year veteran, has averaged just 3.6 points in 46 games with the Knicks this season.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves came back from the All-Star break with a 94-87 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. That made for two wins in three games after a stretch in which the Timberwolves lost 15 of 17 games. Minnesota is 7-18 on the road.
Second-year forward Derrick Williams has put together solid games in which he averaged 20.5 points and 12 rebounds. The No. 2 overall pick in 2011 has been slow to make an impact and is receiving substantial playing time now that the starting roster is ravaged by injuries.
The Wolves used a dominant performance by center Nikola Pekovic to win 94-87 against Philadelphia. He produced 27 points and matched a career high with 18 rebounds for his sixth double-double in his last seven games.
Wolves and Thunder have faced each other twice this season. Back in December 20th, Pekovic had 24 points and 10 boards to help Minnesota end a 12-game losing streak to Oklahoma City with a 99-93 win. A couple of weeks later, Oklahoma stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for 49 points as the Thunder evened the season series with their sixth straight home victory over the Wolves, 106-84 on Jan. 9.
Game Odds:
Minnesota Timberwolves: +13.5-110, ML +1000
Oklahoma City Thunder: -13.5-110, ML -1600
Totals: 205, o/u -110
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