NBA teams pick up their defensive intensity during the playoffs. There are some regular-season games, though, where that playoff defensive intensity surfaces. This should be one of those matchups.

Minnesota and Oklahoma City are tied for first in the Northwest Division. Both have been pointing to this showdown. Each team got caught looking ahead, too. The Timberwolves lost, 113-112, to the Spurs this past Saturday while the Thunder were upset by the Pistons, 120-104, on Sunday.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch ripped his team's defensive performance following the loss to the Spurs calling it disgusting and that his team was immature. I expect the Timberwolves to play far better on defense, being stung by their coaches' criticism. They are, after all, the No. 1 defensive team in the league holding opponents to an average of 107.6 points a game. The Timberwolves also rank first in defensive rebounding and No. 2 in defensive field goal percentage.

Oklahoma City ranks No. 1 in the NBA in defensive field goal percentage. The Thunder, though, are averaging only 106 points during their last four games if you don't count their 140-114 win against the Spurs this past Wednesday.

There were just 199 points scored during the team's last meeting when Oklahoma City won, 102-97, at Minneapolis nine days ago.