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Mid-Week Matchup: Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

By Max Neuhaus

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Andrew Wiggins #22, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during the 2017 Media Day on September 22, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Andrew Wiggins #22, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during the 2017 Media Day on September 22, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images /

Center: Karl Anthony Towns vs. Clint Capela

This is an easy one.

Karl Anthony Towns is the top center in the NBA. He puts up elite numbers. He is the face of the franchise in Minnesota. He is a star coming up rapidly on superstar status and he hasn’t even reached his ceiling.

Clint Capela is a functional role player.

Enough said.

Advantage: Karl Anthony Towns

Bench

Both the Timberwolves and the Rockets should have good second units this season. We all know the talent Minnesota is bringing off the bench: Shabazz Muhammad, Jamal Crawford, Gorgui Dieng, etc.

The Rockets, however, counter with a couple of defensive stoppers in P.J. Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute. They also happen to have the reigning sixth man of the year in Eric Gordon as their first man off the bench.

Houston did a very good job of getting some guys on their bench who do things their starters don’t: play defense. Both Tucker and Mbah a Moute are excellent on and off-ball defenders. Pair that with a player who can get hot in a second from behind the arc in Eric Gordon and that bench looks tough to beat.

Minnesota brings a lot of scoring in when the starters need a rest. Muhammad, Crawford, and Tyus Jones are not known as good defenders. The aim of coach Thibs is to stop you with his starters and outscore you with his bench.

It seems like Houston’s bench compliments their team more than Minnesota’s does.

Advantage: Houston

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