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The Minnesota Timberwolves' recent two game losing streak has moved them down to third place in the Northwest Division, a half game behind the Denver Nuggets. The team had previously won four straight, but dropped two in a row on the road to the Magic and Heat, and face a tough test on Thursday night against the Thunder.
The Thunder stand alone in first place in the Northwest at 21-4, a full 7.5 games clear of the second-place Nuggets. Minnesota is eight games behind in third place, tied with the Utah Jazz. The Portland Trail Blazers are bringing up the rear in fifth place, but are only one game behind Minnesota and Utah.
The Thunder were the overwhelming favorite to win the division, and their current 12-game winning streak has all but put it out of reach of the other teams by mid-December. The Timberwolves will try to end that streak on Thursday night, but face in uphill battle in doing so.