Game Preview: Timberwolves vs. Rockets

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Game Preview: Timberwolves vs. Rockets

Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 7 p.m. at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota

MATCHUP:

Minnesota is looking for its first back-to-back win of the season, suiting up against the white hot Houston Rockets in their first meeting of the year. The revitalized Houston squad currently sits 3rd in the conference standings, and is putting up monster numbers under offensive guru Mike D’Antoni, racking up the 2nd most pts/game with the 3rd highest offensive rating.

Prior to the start of the season, many worried that the Rockets defensive performance would be non-existent. The potential of their offensive prowess under D’Antoni was obvious – he and James Harden are a match made in heaven – but it was unclear whether the team’s effort would ever cross over to the other side of the floor. Harden’s struggles are well documented, and off season acquisitions of Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson, and a decrepit Nene don’t necessarily instill the fear of god into opposing players on the defensive end. But it hasn’t been a disaster. In fact, it’s been surprisingly serviceable, even good in parts. The Rockets are locked comfortably in the middle of the pack defensively, ranking 17th in the NBA. Not exceptional, but no where close to bad either. Just fine. It’s gotten to the point where even a serviceable Houston defense makes them one of the most terrifying teams in the league.

The Timberwolves will look to shut down a Rockets team who have won nine in a row through the month of December. This is Houston’s second night of a back-to-back following a win over the New Orleans Pelicans 122-100.

PROJECTED STARTERS

Timberwolves:

PG: Ricky Rubio #9

SG: Zach LaVine #8

SF: Andrew Wiggins #22

PF: Gorgui Dieng #5

C: Karl-Anthony Towns #32

Rockets:

PG: James Harden

SG: Patrick Beverley

SF: Trevor Ariza

PF: Ryan Anderson

C: Clint Capela

INJURY REPORT

Timberwolves: Nikola Pekovic – out/season (recurring ankle pain), Nemanja Bjelica – game time decision (ankle)

Rockets: No injuries reported

LAST MEETING

The Timberwolves faced off with the Houston Rockets three times during the 15-16 season, losing each one.

The first meeting occurred in January near the tail-end of a dreadful nine game losing streak, where exceptional scoring efforts from Andrew Wiggins and Kevin Martin were unable to usurp strong play from James Harden and Dwight Howard. The Wolves were timid and turnover prone. Only three players found themselves in double figures in the scoring column while Ricky Rubio committed a game high eight turnovers. Minnesota lost 104-107.

The Timberwolves unleashed a new-found aggression on the offensive end during the second meeting, but it still wasn’t enough to deliver a loss to the Rockets. Six Wolves players found themselves in double figures, but exceptional play from Michael Beasley coming off the bench proved to be the difference maker. Houston won 116-111.

The final meeting between the two teams was perhaps the most disappointing. It was the only break in an impressive five game win streak to end the season, which included two Western Conference playoff contenders in Golden State and Portland. Wiggins appeared timid throughout the game, taking only seven shots during his 26 minutes, but the Wolves were faced with an impossible task anyway. Houston was operating on another level, shooting 15-30 from 3-point range, and showing inklings of the offensive assault they’d employ this season. Harden led the game with 34 points and the Rockets coasted to an easy 129-105 win.

NOTEWORTHY

Tonight’s matchup will be a meeting of the minds of sorts as Tom Thibodeau faces off against Mike D’Antoni. We’ll see if the Timberwolves are a step closer to grasping Thib’s defensive scheme against an offense capable of burying opponents early. The Rockets are first in 3-pointers made, and have won four games during their current win streak by 20 points or more. Six players are shooting better than 0.360 while taking more than two shots from beyond the arc. Defensive effort along the perimeter should be Minnesota’s focus going into tonight, with the spotlight glued to James Harden. The Rocket’s superstar is the offense, and team’s have only been able to capitalize through his shooting struggles or penchant to over-exert himself on the offensive end.

BROADCAST INFORMATION:

TV: Fox Sports North – Dave Benz (play-by-play), Jim Peterson (analyst)

Radio: 830 WCCO-AM – Alan Horton (play-by-play)

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(all stats found on NBA.com and basketball-reference)