I expect Jimmy Butler to play. The Timberwolves have been awful without him. But they haven't been that good with him either. Minnesota didn't play defense last season and there hasn't been any improvement this season. The Timberwolves are last in defensive field goal percentage and 26th in scoring defense.

The Thunder, on the other hand, are strong defensively. Each team has stars, but only Oklahoma City plays good defense.

This also is short revenge for the Thunder. They where stunned by the Timberwolves at home this past Sunday when Andrew Wiggins hit a long 3-point at the buzzer. That game was poorly officiated with a number of key decisions going against the Thunder at the end.

Maybe the Timberwolves will get their act straighten out now that they've upgraded their talent level. But right now the Thunder are the better team and they are going to be highly motivated.