Minnesota Timberwolves Silence OKC Thunder 100-81

The Minnesota Timberwolves now have a two game winning streak under their belt after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 100-81.

Nov 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Derrick Williams (7) rebounds against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Greg Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Love had 24 points and 12 rebounds and Ricky Rubio added 14 points, 10 assists and five steals to the total tonight. Nikola Pekovic had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Derrick Williams had 10 points and seven rebounds for Minnesota after not playing in the opener.

Tonight’s game against the Thunder was a statement for the Wolves. Many feel this is the season that will take them to the playoffs. They led by as many as 34 points in the game and that allowed Coach Rick Adelman to rest his starting five for the entire fourth quarter.

Durant scored 13 points on 4-for-11 shooting but had trouble finding a clean look against the Wolves. The Thunder shot 35 percent and turned the ball over 21 times.

After scoring 42 points in their season opener against Utah tonight was a different story. Durant hasn’t scored this low since December 2011 when he had 12 points against Phoenix. Jeremy Lamb was the only other Thunder player in double figures with 16.

It wasn’t all good for the Wolves though, they shot poorly in the first half as well. But they were able to make up for it on some strong defense and were good at the free throw line and that allowed them to build a 20-point lead. They made 18 of 19 shots at the foul line while Durant, Kendrick Perkins and Steven Adams had fouls early.

The Wolves forced 13 turnovers in the first half, which gave them 19 points. Williams blocked two shots and the Wolves made Durant work for his touches while limiting his shot attempts. The Thunder star was just 2 for 5 from the field in the first 26 minutes, and it looked at times like he was deferring to his younger role players to try to get them involved.

The Timberwolves play on Sunday against the New York Knicks at 7:30 PM.