The Houston Rockets have won their second home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. After initial problems, the defense was particularly strong, compensating for James Harden’s weak game. The Rockets won 102:82 (BOXSCORE).
Criticism of Karl-Anthony Towns was high after game one against Houston, this time the Wolves-Center started much more actively and helped his team to establish a lead in the favourites. Houston had no touch from a distance at first, James Harden also had problems scoring (1/7 FG in the first quarter). Among others, the MVP candidate was badly defeated by Gorgui Dieng at the Ring. The Rockets had no field goal for more than four minutes, only a threesome by Chris Paul ended the dry spell. Minnesota led after 12 minutes with 23:16.
However, the Rockets’ defence picked up noticeably and brought the hosts back into the match. In addition, the hosts received a push from Gerald Green, who sunk four threesomes in the second quarter. The dynamics of the game changed completely, the Wolves lost the ball, Houston started to run and went into the break with a 55:40 lead, although Harden only scored points on the free-throw line.
Would the Wolves be able to answer again? This question could be answered quickly with’No’. The Wolves took bad middle distance throws, the Rockets punished this with good transition and easy points. When P.J. Tucker sunk a three with a foul in the middle of the quarter, the game was already over (71:46). Afterwards, however, the Rockets remained almost four minutes without points, which the guests could not use due to their terrible offense.
The gap of 22 points after three quarters was enough for Wolves coach Thibodeau to throw in the towel early. Nevertheless, the Rockets still played some starters for a long time, but this did not have any effects any more.
Paul was the Rockets’ top scorer with 27 points (10/18 FG), plus Green 21 points (5/12 triples). Harden (12, 2/18 FG, 7 Assists) didn’t hit anything. However, victory was never in danger because Minnesota had no reliable scorers either. Andrew Wiggins (13, 6/14 FG) was already leading his team, Jimmy Butler came in at 11, while Towns (5, 2/9 FG, 10 Rebounds) was completely deregistered after a good start. Nemanja Bjelica collected most of his 16 points and 8 rebounds in garbage time.
Houston Rockets v Minnesota Timberwolves 102:82, Series 2:0 (BOXSCORE)
Chris Paul. What a gala from Point God. While Harden did little or nothing, Paul did what he wanted with the Wolves. The playmaker placed some incomprehensible throws and layers in the basket. He was the only Rocket Guard who was efficient that night. There were 8 assists, only 1 turnover and 3 steals.
It was an all around catastrophic performance of the guests from Minnesota. It would be unfair to pillory an individual. But Crawford, Rose and also Towns could be considered.
The turning point of the game was in the second quarter, when Minnesota played a lineup with three guards (Teague, Rose, Crawford). Houston exposed this formation with constant drives, which caused the Wolves-Defense to collapse over and over again. Harden took free throws, Green sunk the open threesomes, a 16-0 run was the result, from which the guests did not recover any more.