SB Nation Minnesota - Thunder Vs. Timberwolves: Minnesota Falls Late To Oklahoma City, 104-100https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48959/mn-fave.png2011-12-27T08:40:25-06:00http://minnesota.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24264712011-12-27T08:40:25-06:002011-12-27T08:40:25-06:00Ricky Rubio Provides Spark For Timberwolves In First NBA Game
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<p>Rarely in NBA history has there been a prospect with the sort of hype and circuitous path to the NBA that Ricky Rubio has had. Selected with the fifth pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, it took Rubio two years to make it to America, and more specifically Minnesota. But after his flashy debut on Monday, it's safe to say most <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Timberwolves</a> fans have already concluded that Rubio was worth the way.</p>
<p>The 21-year-old Spanish point guard played 26 minutes off the bench for Minnesota, and had six points, six assists, and five rebounds. Perhaps more impressively, Rubio had zero turnovers, despite playing with the sort of flair that has made him a tantalizing maverick floor general, and replaced starter <span>Luke Ridnour</span> in the waning moments of the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>The concern about Rubio's defense remains — he committed four fouls, and looked very lost on one <span>Russell Westbrook</span> and-one late in the game — but Canis Hoopus is already <a href="http://www.canishoopus.com/2011/12/26/2663041/everything-on-the-table">over the moon for the Wolves' new star</a>:</p>
<blockquote>First and foremost, it has been almost 2 1/2 years since <span>Ricky Rubio's</span> name was called out on draft night. It was pretty cool to finally see him in uniform and it was even cooler to see him perform just like we thought he would: amazing court vision, peerless passing, tremendous ball security, and risk-taking defense. He is everything we'd thought he'd be and that's something to be excited about.</blockquote>
<p><i>For more on Rubio and the Timberwolves, visit <a href="http://www.canishoopus.com">Canis Hoopus</a>.</i></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-timberwolves/2011/12/27/2663522/ricky-rubio-first-nba-game-minnesota-timberwolvesAndy Hutchins2011-12-26T21:40:43-06:002011-12-26T21:40:43-06:00Thunder Vs. Timberwolves Final Score: Minnesota Drops Opener 104-100 To Oklahoma City
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<p>The Minnesota Timberwolves showed signs of major progress from last season's 17-65 campaign before ultimately falling <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=311226016">104-100</a> to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night at the Target Center.</p>
<p><span>Michael Beasley</span> led Minnesota with 24 points on 11-27 shooting while <span>Kevin Love</span> added 22 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Meanwhile, second overall draft pick <span>Derrick Williams</span> came off the bench to add 13 points and 6 rebounds in 23 minutes while <span>Ricky Rubio</span> contributed 6 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists in 26 minutes off the bench.</p>
<p><span>Kevin Durant</span> and <span>Russell Westbrook</span> predictably starred in the win for Oklahoma City, scoring 33 and 28 points respectively. The other three starters for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a>, <span>Thabo Sefolosha</span>, <span>Serge Ibaka</span> and <span>Kendrick Perkins</span>, combined to score just 14 points.</p>
<p>The Timberwolves stayed close throughout despite converting just 3-22 three-pointers after making 53.8 % of their long-range attempts in two preseason wins over the Milwaukee Bucks.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Timberwolves</a> head to the road to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a> on Tuesday evening before returning home for five games, starting with last year's NBA finalists <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a>.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-timberwolves/2011/12/26/2662948/timberwolves-vs-thunder-2011-final-score-kevin-durant-kevin-love-russell-westbrook-ricky-rubioAlex Boeder2011-12-26T10:37:23-06:002011-12-26T10:37:23-06:00Thunder Vs. Timberwolves Game Time, TV Schedule And More
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<p>The Minnesota Timberwolves will start the season with a home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Will Rick Adelman be able to turn the ship around?</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> will take on a whole new look this season with <span>Rick Adelman</span> at the helm of a team that includes new additions like <span>Ricky Rubio</span> and <span>Derrick Williams</span>. The first chance for the new look Wolves to pick up a win will be a game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> on Monday night.</p>
<p>For those interested in watching Minnesota's regular season opener, Fox Sports North will carry the affair live when the game tips off at 7 p.m. It will also be broadcast on the NBA's League Pass for those outside of the television market.</p>
<p>The Wolves used last season's starting lineup during the preseason, much to the chagrin of the fans, but the Star Tribune's <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/JerryZgoda/status/151183335996129280" target="_blank">Jerry Zgoda reports that trend will continue into the regular season</a>. Instead of an exciting lineup that includes, Rubio, Williams and free agent pick-up <span>J.J. Barea</span>, <span style="line-height: 9px;">Monday's starters will be </span><span>Luke Ridnour</span>, <span>Wesley Johnson</span>, <span>Kevin Love</span>, <span>Michael Beasley</span> and <span>Darko Milicic</span>.</p>
<p>The Thunder are visiting the Wolves fresh off of an opening-day victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a>. <span>Kevin Durant</span> scored 30 in the opener while <span>James Harden</span> came off of the bench to score 19 in a solid win to start the season.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-timberwolves/2011/12/26/2661790/thunder-vs-timberwolves-game-time-tv-scheduleScott Schroeder