Even without Kevin Love, the Minnesota Timberwolves have a consistent double-double threat in the starting lineup. Anthony Randolph, Love’s replacement for as long as the power forward is out with his groin injury, put up 24 points and 15 rebounds on Friday night.
Despite Randolph’s contributions, however, the Wolves were still defeated 111-103 as the Oklahoma City Thunder used a balanced attack to take out the Love-less Timberwolves.
The Wolves actually hung with the Thunder through three quarters, even pulling within 82-80 after trailing by 16, but the trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka proved to be too much.
The Wolves starters were fine as Michael Beasley scored 20, Darko Milicic had 16, Luke Ridnour had 12 and Wes Johnson scored 10 to go with Randolph’s game-high 24, but Minnesota’s bench mustered an inefficient 23 points on 21 shot attempts to keep the Wolves from winning.
The Thunder had seven players in double figures, led by Durant’s 23.