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Timberwolves Wrap: Rockets bury Wolves with three-pointers

By Ben Beecken

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Modern-day NBA met the Dark Ages on Friday night in Houston as Daryl Morey’s carefully-built Rockets hosted Flip Saunders’ perpetually-in-progress Minnesota Timberwolves.

New beat old, of course, by a final score of 120-110. The Houston Rockets attempted 44 three-pointers, draining 20 of them (45.5%) while the visitors were just 6 of 14 from long-range (42.9%) with three of their tries coming on desperation tries in the final two possessions of the game. Because that’s the only time to shoot threes, right?

James Harden dropped 33 points (9-19 FG, 6-12 3P, 9-10 FT) and dished out eight assists while grabbing five steals and four rebounds. Andrew Wiggins put up 31 points (9-17 FG, 1-2 3P, 12-15 FT), four rebounds, and four assists. Each player turned the ball over three times.

Harden got hot in the third quarter, at one point draining three long-balls in a row to help the Rockets build a sizable lead. To their credit, the Timberwolves battled back to within five points in the fourth quarter before succumbing entirely to the three-point onslaught, but it was good to see their resolve.

It would have been an easy game to give up in, especially given the seemingly endless barrage of three-pointers being rained down and how unstoppable Harden appeared at times. But the Wolves stuck with it and gave Houston all they could handle.

Gorgui Dieng also played well, putting up 18 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. Chase Budinger came off the bench and managed to put up 23 points in 29 minutes on 7 of 10 shooting, including 3 of 4 from beyond the arc and adding four rebounds.

It was a good game and it was encouraging to see Wiggins again step up to a challenge and clearly pass the test.

Tweet of the Night

Clip of the Night

(h/t @TheCauldron)

Star of the Night

Andrew Wiggins: 31 points (9-17 FG, 1-2 3P, 12-15 FT), 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 turnovers

Wiggins played very well on Friday night. Going up against Harden, he was more than up for the challenge and watching what was largely a head-to-head battle was a treat.

The main difference between the two on this night was where they were getting the ball when possessions began. Harden was routinely afforded the opportunity to handle the ball in the pick-and-roll or in isolation situations beyond the arc with his teammates spaced perfectly.

Wiggins, on the other hand, was forced to catch inside the arc on the slot, often 19-21 feet from the rim and usually with his back to the basket. The Rockets would simply double-team the Wolves rookie, forcing him into tough cross-court passes or contested jumpers.

In other words, the Wolves’ coach continues to fail to put his rookie in positions to succeed.

Stat of the Night

We’ll go with two stats here.

The aforementioned three-point shot disparity (20-44 for Houston and 6-14 for Minnesota) is huge, and that’s the first part.

Secondly, the Timberwolves were once again severely out-rebounded, this time by a final tally of 41-31. Poor Gorgui Dieng needs some help on the glass — since Nikola Pekovic, Kevin Garnett, and even Ricky Rubio have been out, he’s more or less been going it alone and it’s hurt the Wolves’ mightily.

Other Notable Timberwolves Lines

  • Gorgui Dieng: 18 points (7-11 FG, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds, 4 assists, one steal, one block
  • Chase Budinger: 23 points (7-10 FG, 3-4 FT, 6-6 3PT), 4 rebounds, one turnover

Who’s Got Next?

The Wolves will head to New Orleans for a Sunday matinee against the Pelicans. The Pellies are still battling for a playoff spot, sitting three games behind the now Kevin-Durant-less Oklahoma City Thunder.

Stay tuned to DWW for any news as well as analysis and a preview in advance of Sunday’s tilt. Enjoy your Saturday.

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