Oklahoma City Thunder (53-15) beat Minnesota Timberwolves (41-27) 116-103 at home on Sunday, March 15.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Thunder struck first, taking the opening quarter 23-22 and a 1-point lead after one. The Timberwolves moved in front with a 31-24 second quarter, carrying a 6-point lead into halftime.
The Thunder won the third 33-23 to turn the game around, taking a 4-point lead into the fourth. The Thunder took the fourth 36-27; the Thunder finished the job for a 116-103 regulation win.
What decided it
The Thunder took better care of the ball, turning it over on 6.9% of possessions compared with 21.9% for the Timberwolves. The Thunder grabbed 28.3% of their own misses, while the Timberwolves recovered 21.6%. Those extra possessions were crucial.
The Timberwolves did win one battle, shooting: eFG% of 56.5% against 49%. The Thunder made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 101 possessions per team, the Thunder produced 114.8 points per 100 possessions to 102 for the Timberwolves.
The Thunder's reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 43-16.
Who made the difference
Julius Randle was the game's biggest individual force for MIN: 32 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast on 11-18 shooting. His Game Score of 28.6 led everyone. His team was -5 with him on the floor.
Chet Holmgren led the Thunder with 21 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl on 9-13 shooting, good for a 23.7 Game Score.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (20 pts, 3 reb, 10 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Thunder about a 83% chance.
Across the last 12 meetings in our records, Oklahoma City Thunder lead 7-5.
The Thunder are now 53-15, and the Timberwolves are 41-27. The Thunder last five before this game: W-W-W-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.