Oklahoma City ThunderOpen full analysis
Minnesota TimberwolvesOpen full analysis
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 112–107 on December 19 at Target Center, holding the visitors to 22 points in the fourth quarter to secure a tight road-division win. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 26 points while Julius Randle added 19, but the Timberwolves' 37.5% field-goal shooting and 13 three-pointers made proved sufficient against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's game-high 35 points and Jalen Williams' 17. The decisive third quarter saw Minnesota outscore OKC 35–34, establishing a margin the Thunder could not overcome despite a dominant first quarter that yielded 33 points. Minnesota's defense held firm down the stretch, posting a 103.7 defensive rating while forcing 11 turnovers, and the Timberwolves' 57 rebounds and 8 steals controlled the glass and pace. The final score fell well short of the 232.5 Vegas total line, a defensive affair that underscored both teams' ability to clamp down when necessary. Minnesota's third-quarter execution and fourth-quarter composure position them favorably in the Western Conference race.
