MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Kevin Love had one of his best showings of the year Thursday in pushing Minnesota to a 99-93 win that ended Oklahoma City's 12-game winning streak.
The Timberwolves had a 13-point lead early in the second half and then fought off a comeback bid to hand the Thunder their first loss since Nov. 23. It was only the fifth setback of the season for Oklahoma City, fewest in the NBA.
Love scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while playing through injuries to an arm and shoulder. He missed the first 11 games of the season while recovering from surgery and the 28 points were the third most he has scored during the campaign.
Oklahoma City climbed within two points with 9:52 to go in the game, but Minnesota then went on a 12-2 run. The Thunder came no closer than the final score after that.
Nikola Petkovic contributed 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who held Oklahoma City to 40 percent shooting. J.J. Barea hit three 3-pointers and scored 18 points.
Kevin Durant produced 33 points for the Thunder and Russell Westbrook added 30. Only once in the previous 16 games had Oklahoma City failed to reach 100 points.
