The Oklahoma City Thunder (36 - 29) defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves (14 - 50) 113 - 99 on Friday at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. This marked a huge win for the Thunder, who have pulled even with the New Orleans Pelicans for the eigth and final projected playoff seed in the Western Conference standings. They also were able to add some distance between them and the Suns, who remain two and a half games back from both the Thunder and the Pelicans. While both teams shot 44 percent from the field Friday, the Thunder grabbed the advantage from the three - point line, as they finished at 46 percent from beyond the arc, while the Timberwolves struggled to just 25 percent from deep. For the Thunder, Russell Westbrook continues to force his name into MVP talks, as he recorded his sixth triple - double in his last eight games Friday, finishing with 29 points (11 - 24 FG, 3 - 6 3Pt, 4 - 4 FT), 10 rebounds and 12 assists in 35 minutes. While he's clearly the MVP of the second half of the season, most still see James Harden, Stephen Curry and LeBron James as more likely to take home the award. Over his last eight games, Westbrook is averaging a ridiculous 34 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and 2 steals. Notching one of his best games since joining the Thunder, Enes Kanter recorded 23 points (10 - 19 FG, 3 - 3 FT) and 15 rebounds. It was his second double - double in his last three games, a stretch where he's averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds. With Serge Ibaka sitting out with a knee injury, Mitch McGary moved into the starting lineup and posted an efficient 12 points (6 - 8 FG) and two rebounds in 22 minutes. It marked his first start of the season, and it was just the fifth time he's reached double - digit points. Anthony Morrow added 13 points (5 - 11 FG, 3 - 6 3Pt) and two rebounds off the bench. The Timberwolves were dealing with some injuries coming into this game, as both Kevin Garnett (knee) and Nikola Pekovic (ankle) were out with their respective injuries. Gorgui Dieng filled in as the starting center, while Adreian Payne received the start at power forward. Dieng took advantage of the start, scoring a team - high of 21 points (7 - 10 FG, 7 - 8 FT), to go along with 14 rebounds in 42 minutes. It was the first time he's surpassed the 20 - point mark since the beginning of January. He also played well on the defensive side of the ball despite the loss, recording two steals and three blocked shots as well. Like Dieng, Andrew Wiggins did his best to keep the Timberwolves in this game. in 37 minutes, he finished with 19 points (4 - 13 FG, 0 - 2 3Pt, 11 - 12 FT) and five rebounds. It was n't his best shooting performance, but he was able to force his way to the free throw line over and over. Jordan Hamilton played 33 minutes off the bench and finished with 17 points (6 - 10 FG, 5 - 5 FT), 10 rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots. It was far - and - away his best game of the year, as his point, steal and block totals were all season - highs. The Thunder's next game will be at home against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, while the Timberwolves will travel to San Antonio to play the Spurs on Sunday.
["TeamStat(G,'Thunder') has 46 Percentage of 3 points ,has 44 Percentage of field goals ,has 29 Losses ,has 113 Total points ,has 36 Wins ."
 "TeamStat(G,'Timberwolves') has 25 Percentage of 3 points ,has 44 Percentage of field goals ,has 50 Losses ,has 99 Total points ,has 14 Wins ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Andrew Wiggins') has 2 Assists ,has 0 Blocks ,has 13 3-pointers attempted ,has 4 3-pointers made ,has 12 Field goals attempted ,has 11 Field goals made ,has 19 Free throws attempted ,has 5 Free throws made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Gorgui Dieng') has 3 Assists ,has 10 Blocks ,has 7 3-pointers attempted ,has 8 3-pointers made ,has 7 Field goals attempted ,has 42 Field goals made ,has 21 Free throws attempted ,has 14 Free throws made ,has 2 Minutes played ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Mitch McGary') has 8 Assists ,has 6 Blocks ,has 22 3-pointers attempted ,has 12 3-pointers made ,has 2 Field goals attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Enes Kanter') has 1 Assists ,has 19 Blocks ,has 10 3-pointers attempted ,has 3 3-pointers made ,has 3 Field goals attempted ,has 23 Field goals made ,has 15 Free throws attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Russell Westbrook') has 12 Assists ,has 6 Blocks ,has 3 3-pointers attempted ,has 24 3-pointers made ,has 11 Field goals attempted ,has 4 Field goals made ,has 4 Free throws attempted ,has 35 Free throws made ,has 1 Minutes played ,has 29 Personal fouls ,has 10 Points ,has 2 Total rebounds ,has 8 Steals ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Anthony Morrow') has 6 Assists ,has 3 Blocks ,has 11 3-pointers attempted ,has 5 3-pointers made ,has 13 Field goals attempted ,has 2 Field goals made ."]