Minnesota Timberwolves game preview: Oct. 27 vs Oklahoma City Thunder
By Alex Monseth
![MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 24: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to a call during the game against the Indiana Pacers on October 24, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 24: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to a call during the game against the Indiana Pacers on October 24, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e5df3d156cf4a398abbeb912a59e17c21cbc6c752e3513e1f0e0596b713df7fa.jpg)
Key for Oklahoma City: Come out strong
The Thunder looked nearly unstoppable in the fourth quarter of the first matchup between the two teams this season, scoring 38 points on the Wolves’ defense. Carmelo Anthony hit key shots to spark the offense, and reigning MVP Russell Westbrook did his thing, too.
The first quarter was the opposite story, however. Oklahoma City scored just 23 points as the Timberwolves looked much more in control on the defensive end.
In both of the Thunder’s losses this season, to Minnesota and Utah, a slow start on the offensive side of the ball set the team back for the rest of the game.
With Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, and Paul George all in the starting lineup, there’s no reason that one of them can’t carry the offense at any point in the game if the others are struggling.
They all have that kind of talent.
The Timberwolves confidence defensively is clearly at a low point. If Oklahoma City can come out strong, it could potentially derail Minnesota back into the defensive slump they’ve been mired in.