Thunder Gameday: OKC Seeks to Cap Off Road Stint Firmly Against Minnesota

The Oklahoma City Thunder have an opportunity to split its four-game road trip versus the Timberwolves on Saturday night.

Currently, Oklahoma City sits two game back from the Minnesota Timberwolves for first place in the Western Conference.

On Saturday night, the Northwest Divisional rivals will go head-to-head for the third time on the season – a series that is knotted 1-1 with the Thunder claiming the most recent meeting in late December. 

Minnesota enters this contest hoping to extend its four-game winning streak, whereas Oklahoma City comes in off snapping a two-game skid in a win over the Sacramento Kings on the road.

Nov 28, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) dunks over Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) in the second half at Target Center / © Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 2.5-point underdogs to the Timberwolves, and the total over/under is 229.5 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

In the two games these teams split thus far in the series, the home team has come out on top in each of them.

A three-point initial victory for the Timberwolves, Minnesota has only continued to bolster their performance at home. In particular, it's their defense that has been winning them games behind their home crowd.

The Timberwolves lead the league in defensive rating at home with a 103.2, a prime reason as to how they boast one of the best records at home in the league – going 17-2 so far inside Target Center.

Conversely, the Thunder do have one of the more impressive road records in the league at 12-8, but Oklahoma City will have to move the ball with intent and own the 3-point line.

This was reflected in both previous games, but in the box score as well – in the Thunder's 23-point win was 35 assists and 18-of-39 (46.2%) from three, and in its three-point loss was a minimal 22 assists and 11-of-30 (36.7%) 3-point performance.

Limiting turnovers while running out in transition, creating and converting open 3-point opportunities will be key to help Oklahoma City claim a win in front of a hostile home crowd.

Though possibly dealing with an ill Lu Dort – who is day-to-day for Saturday night's game – rookie Cason Wallace could have an even bigger responsibility, looking to what could be his eighth start on the season.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (28-13) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (30-11)

INJURIES:

Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.

WHEN:

Saturday, Jan. 19, 2024 at 7 PM CT

LOCATION:

Target Center - Minneapolis, Minnesota

TV/RADIO:

Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

Live Stream: fuboTV (Start Your Free Trial)

FINAL WORD:

The Thunder will have its hands full, though it's already proved what the team is truly capable of following its last meeting with the Timberwolves. 

Pinned against one of the best teams at home on the closing night of a four-game road stand could be a recipe for defeat – but as the youngest team in the NBA, Oklahoma City could produce another eye-opening performance on Saturday night against the top team in the West.

Next, Oklahoma City will head back home and get a couple of days of rest before facing the Portland Trail Blazers at 7 p.m. CT on Tuesday inside Paycom Center.

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