With a chance to pull the first-round series against the Rockets even at two games apiece, the Timberwolves played a solid first half before being run off the court in the third quarter and ultimately losing by 19 points.
The Timberwolves had every opportunity to build a substantial first half lead in their Game 4 matchup against the Rockets, but failed to capitalize. And it came back to bite them in a big way.
While Minnesota only trailed by a single point at halftime, they could have easily had carried a multi-possession lead of their own. Houston was ice-cold from the field after a quick start from Trevor Ariza, scoring just 11 points in the opening eight minutes.
But a flurry at the end of the first quarter tied the game at 21, and a sloppy second quarter from both squads meant a 50-49 lead for Houston at halftime.
Look no further than the closing moments of the second quarter to find a series of missed opportunities for the Wolves, however.
With two minutes left in the half, the Wolves trailed by two points. Karl-Anthony Towns goes to the line for a pair of free throws to tie the game, but misses both. Then, a stop by the Wolves at the other end of the floor, followed by an awesome move from Jeff Teague — only to be followed by a blown layup right at the rim.
Five seconds later, James Harden made a layup in transition that was far too easy. After Wiggins was fouled, he only made one of two free throws, but then Minnesota got another stop on defense. Jimmy Butler was headed down-court with a head of steam and about five seconds left, but had the ball stolen in the open floor.
The Wolves dodged a bullet when Ariza missed a wide-open 3-point attempt at the buzzer, but the damage was done.
Three missed free throws and a blown layup, plus a way-too-easy layup given up the other way. That’s a seven point swing, and the Wolves trailed at the half despite the Rockets playing every bit as poorly as they had all series long.
In the third quarter, the Wolves didn’t come out of the locker room with enough urgency, and the Rockets smelled blood. The 50(!)-20 third quarter was something like three-parts Rockets (and especially James Harden, who scored 22 points in the quarter) playing out of their mind and one-part the Wolves struggling to maintain integrity to their assignments on defense.
It was over as soon as Harden got hot, and at some point, it’s fair to tip your hat and say congrats to the league’s MVP.
One silver lining: the Wolves didn’t completely pack it in in the fourth quarter, at one point whittling what was a 39-point Rockets lead down to 18 with just under five minutes remaining. It’s positive that they showed fight with at least one game left in the series upcoming.
Player of the Game
James Harden: 36 points (12-26 FG, 5-11 3P, 7-7 FT), 4 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists, one block
Harden missed his first seven shot attempts on the night but was lights out in the third quarter. He was making step-back threes and getting to the rim whenever he wanted to, and the shadow double-teams the Wolves brought early in the game were wholly ineffective in the second half.
Notable Timberwolves Box Score Lines
- Karl-Anthony Towns: 22 points (9-15 FG, 0-2 3P, 4-6 FT), 15 rebounds, 2 assists
- Jimmy Butler: 19 points (7-17 FG, 1-4 3P, 4-5 FT), 9 rebounds, 5 assists
- Derrick Rose: 17 points (7-11 FG, 2-2 3P, 1-2 FT), 6 rebounds, 4 assists
- Andrew Wiggins: 14 points (5-14 FG, 1-5 3P, 3-4 FT), 3 rebounds, one assist
Towns continued his trendline of improving in the playoffs. Hopefully, Wolves fans are in for a monster Game 5 to kick the series back to Target Center.
Butler was solid but sloppy at times, and, once again, is clearly not close to 100 percent when it comes to his health. Rose was every bit as effective as he was in the Game 3 win, and the Wolves will need that again next time out.
Wiggins was quiet after a big Game 3, taking tough shots and missing his open 3-point attempts.
Next: Will Playoff Derrick Rose return to the Wolves?
What’s Next?
The Wolves and Rockets will head back to Houston for Game 5 on Wednesday night. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. CT on TNT.