Analyzing the Thunder’s performance during its march to the postseason.
Friday’s result: Thunder 109, Timberwolves 92
Pace: 49 wins
→Intensity: After losing two straight games, the Thunder came out with fire and a determined attitude against the Wolves, clearly eager to put away Minnesota early and make sure Friday’s game never turned into a contest. Oklahoma City outscored the Wolves 30-19 in the first period, led by as many as 25 points and never trailed.
→Defense: The Thunder held the Wolves to 40.7 percent shooting from the field and just 3-for-16 shooting from beyond the 3-point line. OKC also controlled the glass by out-rebounding Minnesota 47-43, which helped limit the Wolves to just nine second-chance points.
→Teamwork: A balanced scoring attack was too much for the Wolves to overcome. Seven Thunder players scored in double digits, including all five starters. The Thunder did it by cutting hard to the basket and making crisp passes that were on time and on target.
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