It might have looked like a 20-point route on paper, but the Minnesota Timberwolves, depleted as they are, turned in an admirable performance on Saturday night in a 115-110 loss to Oklahoma City.
In the end, the T-Wolves simply could not stop Thunder superstar Kevin Durant, who torched a hapless Minnesota defense for 43 points and was nearly perfect from the perimeter (4-for-6). Durant's running mate, point guard Russell Westbrook, was equally as impressive with 35 points, eight assists, and two steals.
Minnesota's leading-scorer in the first half, J.J. Barea finished the evening with 24 points, and buried a three-pointer with 15.6 seconds remaining to cut Oklahoma's lead to two points. Despite not being able to take advantage down the stretch, Barea did manage to dish out 10 assists, representing his third straight double-double. The T-Wolves shot just 62.5% from the free-throw line as a team in the loss, and gave the ball away nine times in the second half after being judicial with the rock early on.
Now losers of nine straight games, Minnesota will travel to Indiana on Monday before returning home Tuesday to host Memphis.
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