Wolves at Rockets, 8 p.m.Toyota CenterFox Sports North, TNT, 830 WCCO
Here we go.
For the first time since 2004, the Wolves are in the playoffs.
At the No. 8 seed, they’ll get the No. 1 seeded Houston Rockets in the first
round. The Rockets finished with a league-best record of 65-17.
This is a new season, though. Anything can happen, especially for a Wolves team
that has as much talent as it does. Led by Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns and
Andrew Wiggins, this isn’t exactly an easy draw for the Rockets. Then again,
this wasn’t a normal season in the West with the Wolves winning 47 games at that
spot. Last season, the Wolves would have been tied for the sixth spot with 47
wins. Two years ago, it would have been the five seed.
“At the end of the day we don’t need anyone to tell us their opinions of how the
series will go. We have confidence and we talk to each other, so that’s all we
need is confidence in each other at this point.” – KAT >>
https://t.co/GN3PXEKcx9 pic.twitter.com/rllsJbw5Fg
Houston, led by James Harden (the likely MVP) and Chris Paul, have been a blast
to watch on the offensive end of the ball. They rank first in offensive rating,
but don’t sleep on Houston’s defense with Clint Capela down low. The Rockets are
sixth in defensive rating.
There’s really no “key to the game” against a team like the Rockets. Score more
points than them, sure, that’s it. But you need to limit the damage Houston does
from the 3-point line, and offensively, the Wolves should be fine. They ranked
fourth in the NBA in offensive rating.
Ryan Anderson, who averaged 12 points and shot 50 percent from the 3-point line
in four games against the Wolves, is likely out with an ankle injury.
This is the final game of a busy weekend of playoff basketball. A reminder that
Dave Benz and Jim Petersen will have the call on Fox Sports North.
Injuries:
Rockets: Anderson (ankle) is doubtful. Eric Gordon (ankle) is probable. Luc Mbah
a Moute (shoulder) is out.
Wolves: Gibson (neck) is probable.
Starting Lineups:
Rockets: PG – Paul, SG – Harden, SF – Ariza, PF – Tucker, C – Capela
Wolves: PG – Teague, SG – Butler, SF – Wiggins, PF – Gibson, C – Towns
Player: Jimmy Butler
Player: Taj Gibson
Player: Jeff Teague
Player: Karl-Anthony Towns
Player: Andrew Wiggins
Media Content:
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/game-1-scouting-report-wolves-rockets
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Minnesota Timberwolves, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson,
Jeff Teague, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Houston Rockets, Minnesota
Timberwolves
Media Thumbnail:
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/sites/timberwolves/files/sr-4-15-2018.jpg
Taxonomy: Scouting Report
Story Link:
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/game-1-scouting-report-wolves-rockets
