Step 2: Run Houston off the 3 pt line
The Rockets are going to try to overwhelm the Wolves with their relentless barrage of three point attempts. Unfortunately, Houston has the personnel to make those shots. The Rockets have eight rotation players who all shoot over 36% from three.
It all starts in the pick and roll game initiated by either Harden or Chris paul and Clint Capella. Tim Faklis of ZoneCoverageMN wrote a nice article about the Rockets P&R and its impact it will have on this series.
Minnesota can limit their attempts by making their spot-up shooters into drivers. By doing hard closeouts, it will force them to penetrate and kick which will send the Wolves D into scramble mode. This will surely test the defensive rotations the Timberwolves coaching staff has been preaching all season.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=228677281]In order for the Wolves to keep the game close, I believe they have to keep the three-point differential below ten. If the Rockets make 10 more threes than the Timberwolves, it will be hard to keep it close.
And to this point, the Wolves should try to take a page out of Houston’s playbook. The Wolves need to attempt more threes than they have thus far this season. Teague, Bjelica, Wiggins, Butler and even KAT at times are hesitant to shoot wide open 3s. Even if they think they can get a better shot by driving, please don’t. Just shoot the open three and live with the results. They are all capable shot makers, and to have any chance this series, they are going to need to knock down some triples.
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