MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ― Kevin Durant scored 33 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 104-100 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night.
Russell Westbrook added 28 points, six assists and six rebounds, and James Harden scored 16 points for the Thunder, who have started off a season loaded with expectations at 2-0.
Kevin Love had 22 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, and Ricky Rubio had an impressive debut with six assists, six points and five rebounds in 26 minutes for the Timberwolves, who hung with the Western Conference favorites all game long.
The Wolves led 96-95 with 3 minutes to play when Westbrook drove the length of the floor, hit a layup and the free throw for a three-point play to put the Thunder ahead.
Oklahoma City never trailed the rest of the way, but this one was in doubt from start to finish.
Michael Beasley scored 24 points on 11 for 27 shooting, and No. 2 overall pick Derrick Williams scored 13. With new coach Rick Adelman on the bench and Rubio, Williams and JJ Barea added to the roster, there is a buzz surrounding the Timberwolves, who lost 132 games over the previous two seasons and haven’t been to the playoffs since 2004, for the first time in ages. The Wolves sold out their home opener for the first time since 2007, and there is a new hope coming from one of the league’s most hapless franchises. Much of it centers around Rubio, the dazzling, 21-year-old point guard who arrived from Spain this offseason after being chosen fifth overall in 2009.
