Vitals: Timberwolves at Thunder

For the second time in as many weeks, the Thunder prepare to take on the Timberwolves.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:31 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Feb 26, 2010 10:45 AM CDT

Dave Carty
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

Minnesota Timberwolves (14-45) at Oklahoma City Thunder (33-23)
Friday, February 26, 2010, 7 p.m. CST.
Ford Center, Oklahoma City
Game 57 of 82

Anticipated Starting Lineups

	Minnesota (Away)	Oklahoma City (Home)
PG	Jonny Flynn 13.8 PPG, 4.3 APG	Russell Westbrook 16.5 PPG, 7.7 APG
SG	Corey Brewer 13.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG	Thabo Sefolosha 5.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG
SF	Ryan Gomes 10.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG	Kevin Durant 29.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG
PF	Al Jefferson 17.1 PPG, 9.4 RPG	Jeff Green 14.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG
C	Ryan Hollins 6.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG	Nenad Krstic 7.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG

Injuries
Minnesota: None reported.
Oklahoma City: F, Nick Collison (knee, questionable); F, Serge Ibaka (back, questionable); G/F, Kyle Weaver (shoulder, out); DJ White (thumb, out).

Where to find it?
On TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma
On Radio: Thunder Radio Network

What you need to know...
It’s been a rough month (3-7) and year for Minnesota. For all the lottery picks and talent the Timberwolves try to assemble, they just can’t seem to make any progress. While a fast-paced club, the Timberwolves are again near the bottom in defensive and offensive categories. Kevin Love has played well of late off the bench, scoring at least 17 points in the last three games.

If there’s a caveat to the Thunder’s recent defeats, it’s that they came against two of last decade’s Western Conference powerhouses. Friday night, Oklahoma City welcomes the opposite. The Timberwolves have struggled to gain any traction as a franchise, even when Kevin Garnett was in his prime. Sure, Minnesota made the playoffs, but only once escaped the first round. Even those days are gone and the Timberwolves are cellar dwellers. If the Thunder doesn’t take this game, it may foretell a more catastrophic slide.

Who to watch...
If nothing else, Minnesota has a diverse group of scorers. The points – however few – can come from Al Jefferson’s bruising low post game, speedy and rangy shooter Jonny Flynn, efficient spot-shooter Ryan Gomes, or Kevin Love’s endless bag of tricks. Keep your eyes peeled.

The streak is over. Now, Kevin Durant needs to get back on the horse and lead the team out of its recent funk.