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Torrid Timberwolves throttle Thunder

Jan 8, 2009 - 4:07 AM By James Beilby PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Randy Foye matched a career high with 32 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves won a season-high fourth straight game, crushing the Oklahoma City Thunder, 129-87, on Wednesday.

The victory gave Minnesota its first four-game winning streak since exactly two years ago - January 7, 2005 - and the 42-point margin of victory is the second-largest in franchise history.

Minnesota opened up an 18-point lead as it scored 42 points in the first quarter on 75 percent shooting from the floor. Foye scored 18 on 6-of-6 shooting, including three 3-pointers, in the period.

"He is a dynamic player," Minnesota coach Kevin McHale said. "He's very strong, very quick. Hey, 32 points, six assists and only one turnover? That's a great game."

Foye is 17-of-28 - including 6-of-9 against the Thunder - from the arc in the last five games and has led the team in scoring in each of the last three.

"I just came out aggressive and my shots were going in and kept going in," Foye said. "Our confidence has really grown - not just because of our wins, but because of how we have been winning."

In the second quarter, Minnesota continued its offensive barrage, opening a 29-point lead at the half, 72-43.

The last time Minnesota held a 29-point lead, it was in the third quarter in Dallas and the Mavericks came back to hand Minnesota an embarrassing loss.

While McHale didn't say anything about the Dallas game at halftime, his players were still thinking about it.

"Yeah, it was in our mind," Al Jefferson said. "I didn't feel real happy about that 29-point lead. I would have liked it better if it was 28."

Minnesota's 42 points in the first quarter and 72 in the first half were both season highs.

"We started hot, stayed hot and played a great game," McHale said. "It was a lot of fun to be a part of."

Jefferson added 21 points for Minnesota, which had six players score in double figures. Mark Madsen even chipped in with a bucket, his second of the season.

The Thunder had won two of their last three games and were looking for consecutive wins for the first time this season. Nick Collison led the team with 17 points and Russell Westbrook added 16.

"There was nothing positive about this game," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. "We showed a lack of focus from the start that is unacceptable."

While Oklahoma City still owns the worst record in the league, Minnesota's recent play has moved it from second-worst to fifth-worst.