PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* Game of the Day >> SIZZLING 31-13-3 Past 7 Days!
(NBA) Minnesota vs. Oklahoma City,
Point Spread: -5.00 | -105.00 Oklahoma City (Home)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -5.00 | -105.00 Oklahoma City (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The 9-20 Minnesota Timberwolves will be in OKC Christmas night to take on the 18-12 Thunder. The fact that the T-wolves landed a spot on the Christmas slate coming off a 29-53 record last year is a testament to the level the Timberwolves were expected to reach this season. However, Minnesota has struggled to reach its projected potential through its first 29 games. With Durant in Oakland, the Thunder are about where they were expected to be, so far.
Minnesota: The Timberwolves have young talent that has been playing well individually in Anthony Towns (22.1 & 11.4), Wiggins (21.7 & 4.2) and LaVine (21.4) but head coach Tom Thibodeau is trying to teach his team to win consistently in the NBA. "There's stretches where we play well defensively. And you have to play well on both ends," Thibodeau said. "It's too hard to win in this league. Until we understand that, it's going to be up and down. We got to correct that." Minnesota missed out on a chance to post its first three-game winning streak of the season on Friday but despite Zach LaVine's career-best 40 points, the Timberwolves crumbled in the fourth quarter of a 109-105 home loss to Sacramento. Minnesota brought in Thibodeau to mold its young roster and he is trying hard to get them to understand that consistent effort on defense is the key to winning games.However, the effort against the Kings (Sacramento 52.5 percent from the floor and made 15 three-pointers), is happening too frequently.
Oklahoma City: Westbrook used to share closing duties with Kevin Durant but this season he has been doing it on his own for the most part. That was the case Friday when the Thunder held on to beat the Boston Celtics 117-112 on the road behind 46 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists from Westbrook. It was his 14th triple double of the season and third straight game scoring more than 40 points. Westbrook leads the NBA in scoring (31.8) and is second in assists (10.8), plus averages 10.5 RPG. Of his 51 career triple doubles, six have come when he has poured in at least 40 points. Only Oscar Robertson (22) and Wilt Chamberlain (7) have more. The two-headed center duo of Kanter (12.8 & 6.1) and Adama (11.5 & 7.6) is effective but OKC needs Oladipo (16.1 & 4.5) to get back on the court (he's out indefinitely with a wrist injury and has now missed six games).
The pick: Thibodeau is a proven and has that wonderful young trio but something just isn't right. Lay the points and make OKC a 10* play.
Minnesota: The Timberwolves have young talent that has been playing well individually in Anthony Towns (22.1 & 11.4), Wiggins (21.7 & 4.2) and LaVine (21.4) but head coach Tom Thibodeau is trying to teach his team to win consistently in the NBA. "There's stretches where we play well defensively. And you have to play well on both ends," Thibodeau said. "It's too hard to win in this league. Until we understand that, it's going to be up and down. We got to correct that." Minnesota missed out on a chance to post its first three-game winning streak of the season on Friday but despite Zach LaVine's career-best 40 points, the Timberwolves crumbled in the fourth quarter of a 109-105 home loss to Sacramento. Minnesota brought in Thibodeau to mold its young roster and he is trying hard to get them to understand that consistent effort on defense is the key to winning games.However, the effort against the Kings (Sacramento 52.5 percent from the floor and made 15 three-pointers), is happening too frequently.
Oklahoma City: Westbrook used to share closing duties with Kevin Durant but this season he has been doing it on his own for the most part. That was the case Friday when the Thunder held on to beat the Boston Celtics 117-112 on the road behind 46 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists from Westbrook. It was his 14th triple double of the season and third straight game scoring more than 40 points. Westbrook leads the NBA in scoring (31.8) and is second in assists (10.8), plus averages 10.5 RPG. Of his 51 career triple doubles, six have come when he has poured in at least 40 points. Only Oscar Robertson (22) and Wilt Chamberlain (7) have more. The two-headed center duo of Kanter (12.8 & 6.1) and Adama (11.5 & 7.6) is effective but OKC needs Oladipo (16.1 & 4.5) to get back on the court (he's out indefinitely with a wrist injury and has now missed six games).
The pick: Thibodeau is a proven and has that wonderful young trio but something just isn't right. Lay the points and make OKC a 10* play.
