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Miller, Timberwolves stagger Thunder

Nov 29, 2008 - 6:01 AM OKLAHOMA CITY (Ticker) -- The season has been full of heartache and heartbreak for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Mike Miller made them suffer both in an instant on Friday.

Miller hit a corner jumper with one-tenth of a second remaining to give the Minnesota Timberwolves a 105-103 victory over the hapless Oklahoma City Thunder.

The loss was the Thunder's 16th in 17 games, and the franchise's record-tying 14th straight loss. The Timberwolves won for the fourth time in 14 games.

Jeff Green and Kevin Durant sank back-to-back 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter to give the Thunder a 100-99 lead. Craig Smith then hit a foul shot to tie the game.

Durant was fouled and hit one of two free throws with 15 seconds left.

Chris Wilcox then fouled Al Jefferson with 10.4 seconds left. Jefferson hit the first but missed the second. The Timberwolves' Ryan Gomes grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled. He hit both free throws with 8.8 seconds left to make it, 103-101.

Durant then hit a driving dunk off an inbounds play off a timeout to tie the game with 3.3 seconds left, setting the stage for Miller's game-winner.

"It's time to get together as a team and continue to fight through in these tough times," Thunder interim coach Scott Brooks said. "It's not easy. And all we want is guys to fight every night. We will do that. Tomorrow night we have an opportunity to come away with a win (in Memphis)."

The Timberwolves brought a 3-10 mark into the contest and the teams played evenly in the first half - with Oklahoma City edging away to a 48-44 lead at the break.

The game appeared to turn in the third quarter. With the score tied at 53-53, the Timberwolves went on a 16-8 run to take charge. The Timberwolves wound up with a 35-22 advantage in the third quarter and a 79-70 advantage heading into the final 12 minutes.

The Thunder climbed within 92-90 on two free throws by Wilcox, but Miller answered with a 3-pointer and Smith sank a layup to make it 97-92.

Smith had 23 points, Jefferson had 19 points and nine rebounds and Miller had 18 for the Timberwolves.

"We did have our worst game of the year a few nights back (against Cleveland)," Brooks said. "And the way they came back and responded after that loss showed a lot. We still have a team that's willing to fight for each other, willing to compete, and even tonight that wasn't our best game. Things didn't go our way, but we still hung in there tight."

Durant and Jeff Green each had 22 points and Wilcox added 21 for Oklahoma City.