The Wolves took down a decisive win Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers, but it’s safe to say the Oklahoma City Thunder resemble the early-2000s Lakers rather than the current day L.A. squad that has lost 19 of their last 23.
The absence of Kevin Love, who missed the game with a stiff neck after a nasty fall last night, and Corey Brewer, absent for the birth of his child, didn’t help Minnesota’s cause Wednesday either, and Oklahoma City beat the Wolves 106-97 to once again send them below .500.
Without Love, Ricky Rubio, who had taken seven shots the entire month of February, took 10 shots in the first 18 minutes of play, and ended up leading Minnesota in scoring with 19 points after shooting just twice the rest of the game.
Dante Cunningham, who got the start for Minnesota in Love’s place, contributed 18, but the only other Wolf in double-figures was J.J. Barea, who scored 11.
For Oklahoma City it was a balanced scoring effort, with MVP candidate Kevin Durant leading the Thunder with 26 on a night that five found double-figures for Oklahoma City.
The Wolves continue to move south for their next contest, taking on the Pelicans in New Orleans Friday at 8:30 p.m.
