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MINNEAPOLIS -- Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder are primed to challenge for the Western Conference title this season, three years after the core of one of the most promising teams in the league was assembled. nike blazers womens sale . Kevin Love and the Minnesota Timberwolves are a few years behind them, but hope to follow the same path. Durant scored 33 points to lead the Thunder to a 104-100 victory over the 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. "These are definitely games you got to be able to knuckle down, concentrate and get a win," Westbrook said. Westbrook and Durant took their lumps in 2008-09, when they won just 23 games. Three years later, theyre the ones giving them. "We have a lot of guys that can get a basket: Russell, of course, James is really stepping it up scoring the ball," Durant said. "I think we feed off each other really well; its not like guys are being selfish playing one-on-one basketball." Love had 22 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, and Ricky Rubio had an impressive debut with six assists, six points, five rebounds and no turnovers for the Timberwolves, who hung with one of the best teams in the league all game long. "Thats a team thats a contender and we took them down to the last minute. ... The best thing is we gave ourselves a chance and if we play like that the rest of the season and continue to get better were going to win a lot of games," Love said. 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 for the Wolves, who were 3 for 22 from 3-point range. 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 havent 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 leagues most hapless franchises. Much of it centres around Rubio, the dazzling, 21-year-old point guard who arrived from Spain this off-season after being chosen fifth overall in 2009. "Ive been hearing about him for six years and I saw him for the first time 30 minutes (ago) and it was like he is real," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said before the game, with only a hint of sarcasm. "Like a folk hero." Rubio entered with just over 3 minutes to play in the first quarter, and he electrified Minnesotas offence with his sensational passing. He zipped a pass through the lane that nearly took Thunder forward Nick Collisons head off before finding Barea for a layup. That started a run of three straight assists that got the crowd on its feet and gave the Wolves a 32-26 lead in the second quarter. "I feel comfortable on the court and I feel like I helped the team," Rubio said. "We didnt get it in the end, but we have a chance. If we go this way, we can do a lot of good things." Oklahoma City knows all about expectations. After beating Orlando to open the season on Sunday night, the Thunder had a little trouble finding their shooting legs early. They missed 20 of their first 28 shots, and Durant started the game 2 for 8. Westbrook was equally quiet early, but he finished the first half with a jaw-dropping flourish to help the Thunder take the lead. He scored on a layup, knocked down a jumper and then crossed Luke Ridnour over so severely at the end of the half that the veteran point guard fell to the ground on a drive that gave Oklahoma City a 52-46 lead at the break. "Were letting the game come to us," Durant said. "If we continue to do that well be fine." As discouraged as the Wolves were about the loss, they also took some solace in going toe-to-toe with one of the leagues best. "We played the best team in the West and lost by four points," Williams said. "Weve got a lot to look forward to." NOTES: The Thunder have beaten the Timberwolves 10 straight times. ... Durant, Westbrook and Harden combined for 63 of 97 points in the win over the Magic on Sunday. ... Thunder SG Daequan Cook hit two huge 3s early in the fourth. ... Barea scored 14 points. nike blazers womens blue . They are the two best not because of any perimeter player but due to the offensive line of scrimmage players, the lineman. nike blazers womens pink . - The Oakland Raiders have promoted running back George Atkinson III from the practice squad and placed cornerback Carlos Rogers on season-ending injured reserve.Who will rock the house at TSNs signature curling event? Vote for your favourite Canadian mens curlers at TSN.ca/CurlingSkins - with the Top 16 curlers earning a ticket to Banff, Alta. to compete in the TRAVELERS ALL-STAR CURLING SKINS GAME Presented by Pintys, running Jan. 11-12, 2014 live on TSN. From Nov. 12 to Dec. 8, fans can visit TSN.ca/CurlingSkins to vote for their favourite Canadian mens curlers at each position - skip, third, second, and lead. This years expanded All-Star ballot consists of players from the Top 12 teams from across the country as ranked by the Canadian Curling Association for the 2012-13 season. 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The four All-Star teams will compete for $100,000 in total prize money during the TRAVELERS ALL-STAR CURLING SKINS GAME, airing live on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre in Banff National Park on Jan. 11-12. Similar to previous TSN curling skins games, the TRAVELERS ALL-STAR CURLING SKINS GAME uses a single-elimination format whereby the winner is decided by total prize money and not total points throughout the two-day event. Sponsors The events slate of key partners includes title sponsor Travelers, presenting sponsor Pintys, as well as official partners Rimrock Resort Hotel, Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA), Natures Path, and Banff/Lake Louise Tourism. Cheap China Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China ' ' ' wholesale jerseys free shipping
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