TV: ESPN
- Thunder center Kendrick Perkins, who did not play Wednesday at Houston because of a sprained knee, went through shootaround today, then got treatment on his right knee in the locker room and will start tonight for OKC.
- The newest member of the Thunder, 6-7 swingman Ronnie Brewer, is in Oklahoma City and underwent his physical today but he will not play tonight and likely won’t even be in uniform. Brewer was acquired from the New York Knicks at the trade deadline yesterday for a second-round pick. Thunder officials say the earliest Brewer might be available is Sunday night’s home game against Chicago.
- Brewer has been compared to Thunder defensive specialist Thabo Sefolosha and Thunder forward Kevin Durant seemed to agree with that assessment before the game, “I think they’re the same person,” Durant said, “I sure hate playing against some I’m glad he’s on our team now. He’s a tremendous defender. He’s a great offensive rebounder too, just does all the small intangible things that you need.”
- The Timberwolves are working on some new offensive plays, “I think coach (Rick Adelman) is gonna turn to those more in the second half of the season and we want to make sure the players are very familiar with those things so coach can call them on the fly and not have to call a timeout,” said lead assistant Terry Porter. Adelman missed the Wolves’ practice yesterday to be with his wife at a medical appointment. Adelman flew to Oklahoma City today and is coaching the Timberwolves tonight.
- OKC is 17-1 at home against Western Conference opponents but the Thunder has lost three straight overall and is just 7-7 over the last 14 games. Minnesota has lost 16 of the last 20. The last time the T-Wolves won in Oklahoma City was the 2008-09 season, that’s also the last time the Thunder lost four straight.
– Randy Renner
