MINNEAPOLIS _ Three-time All Star Jimmy Butler's returned to the Timberwolves after two games away ill and young star Karl-Anthony Towns' commitment to play better resulted in Friday's 119-116 victory over Oklahoma City at Target Center that needed no buzzer-beating shot by Andrew Wiggins this time.
Instead, it came down to a defensive stand on the final play, when they forced Thunder star Carmelo Anthony into a missed 3-pointer just before the final buzzer.
Five days earlier in Oklahoma City, the Wolves led nearly all game before they needed Wiggins' desperation, buzzer-beating 3-pointer to win, 115-113.
On Friday, Butler returned after missing two games because of an upper respiratory infection and played 38 minutes that both guided and inspired his teammates. He had 25 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
"He needs to be sick more often," Towns quipped afterward.
Then Butler helped them win it with his scoring when he scored six consecutive points down the stretch that kept the Thunder away by at least two points at all times.
He drove to get himself to the free-throw line for two shots that gave the Wolves a 114-109 lead with 2:41 left.
When reigning league MVP Russell Westbrook answered with a drive of his own that he turned into a three-point play and cut the deficit to 2, Butler answered with a baseline jumper with 1:39 left.
He made a baseline drive with 1:08 left before Thunder star Carmelo Anthony drew a three-shot foul from Wolves veteran Taj Gibson.
Anthony made the first two shots, but missed the third and the Wolves led, 118-114.
After Butler traveled and OKC's Patrick Patterson missed a 3-point shot, the Wolves had the ball and a timeout with 31 seconds left. Wolves point guard Jeff Teague took the inbounds pass from the sideline, but was forced by Westbrook into a backcourt violation as Teague tried to dribble around him with 26.4 seconds left.
Westbrook's driving layup pulled the Thunder within 118-116 with 20 seconds left.
After the Thunder used a foul they had to give, they were forced to foul Teague with 12.4 seconds left. He made the first, but missed the second, which gave Anthony an unsuccessful shot for the tie.
Towns vowed after consecutive lopsided losses to Indiana and Detroit without Butler that he would play better.
He sure did, on both ends of the court.
His 33-point, 19-rebound performance also included four blocked shots and a clutch 3-point shot from the right corner that put the Wolves with 4:09 left.
"I just wanted to be locked in defensively," Towns said. "The game came to me."
Westbrook nearly missed a triple-double with 27 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, while Anthony and Paul George each scored 23 for the Thunder.
