20 Best Individual Performances in Timberwolves History
By Ben Beecken
#4 – March 23, 2012 – Kevin Love: 51 points, 14 rebounds, one block, one steal
The Timberwolves traveled to OKC with a 22-26 record in late March of 2012, which was the lockout-shortened season.
The Thunder were 36-11 and would eventually advance to the NBA Finals before losing in five games to the mighty Miami Heat. To put it lightly, it wasn’t exactly a game that the Wolves were expecting to win.
J.J. Barea knocked down a game-tying shot with 27.9 seconds remaining in regulation as part of what was eventually a triple-double. Kevin Durant came down and hit a three to take the lead, but Kevin Love sent the game to overtime with a three of his own with one second on the clock.
Minnesota took a five-point lead with 46.3 seconds left in the first overtime before the Thunder went on a 5-0 run including a three from Durant with 10 seconds left to send the game to a second OT.
The Thunder began to pull away midway through the second overtime before winning by a final score of 149-140. Russell Westbrook dropped 45 points and Durant scored 40 points for Oklahoma City and James Harden added 25 points off the bench.
It was not only a gaudy performance from a box score perspective, but also from a clutch perspective. Love was fantastic and gave OKC a run for their money.
Next: #3 - Kevin Garnett Vanquishes The Mighty Suns