The Minnesota Timberwolves played a tough game last night against a gritty Chicago Bulls team, Minnesota was able to get the win. Fast forward to the next night and they found themselves in a fight with one of the best teams in the Western Conference the Houston Rockets. It was a testy game all night as a lot of trash-talking was heard and a lot of physical play.
Anthony Edwards and Dillon Brooks who now is the #1 NBA villain, got into a couple of verbal exchanges and had to be separated. Naz Reid and Jock Landale also got into it as Landale kind of shoved Reid after they were fighting for the ball.
Houston led for most of the first three quarters but was outscored in the fourth quarter 35-16 losing 127-114 on the road. Anthony Edwards for the Wolves put up 41 points, seven rebounds, and six assists after scoring 49 points last night. Edwards also recorded his 1,000th career three-pointer, he went to the free-throw line 15 times and made 14 of those. Over the last two games, he is 31-33 from the free throw line. An aggressive nature from Edwards is a great sign for a Timberwolves team starving for consistent play.
Ime Udoka on Anthony Edwards: “It’s nice to have a special player that can get buckets at the end.”
Quite a statement from Ime Udoka. “Now we look like one of the softest teams in the league.” Rockets are going to have to turn this around fast.
Houston (32-19) has now lost five straight games and all three of its current four-game road trip. The Timberwolves (29-23) have won seven of nine. Naz Reid is flourishing since being inserted into the starting lineup for the injured Julius Randle. Reid scored 15 points, and grabbed 11 rebounds to record back to back double doubles. Mike Conley had his best game of the year with 16 points on 6-8 shooting and was a +12 on the court. Rudy Gobert also chipped in with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Jaylen Clark Emerging as Key Contributor
With the Wolves not making any moves at the trade deadline, and with the injuries to Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle, someone had to step up for Minnesota, well insert Jaylen Clark. Averaging just 6.2 minutes through January, the Wolves have leaned on Clark with his aggressive defense and his knack for knocking down three-point shots.
Against the Rockets, Clark had a career-high 17 points and shot 4-6 from three-point range; He has increased his minutes per game up to 20. He thrives at the challenge of guarding one of the opposing team’s best scorers, which has allowed the Wolves’ best defender Jaden McDaniels offensive production to increase.
No doubt the Rockets can score and have a legit all-star in Alperen Sengun, but their defensive intensity is lacking at times. When the three ball isn’t falling the Rockets have a hard time getting the offense to run smoothly, but Jalen Green looks to be on his way to having many all-star appearances.
Houston had seven players in double figures scoring including all five starters had at least 10 points. Green had 28 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Sengun had another double-double as he typically does with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
What’s on the Horizon for the Timberwolves?
Minnesota will finish off their six-game homestand Saturday against a red-hot Portland Trailblazer team. Portland has won six straight games and 10 of their last 11. Portland has seven guys that average double figures in scoring. They are led by Anfernee Simons who has been healthy and showing exactly what he can do when he stays on the court.
A huge bright spot for the Blazers has been the young guard Shaedon Sharpe who is averaging a career-high 17.2 points per game and can make some exciting plays for this young team. The Wolves will have their hands full and will need a complete effort to derail this hot Portland team.
Can Houston get back to winning basketball?
Houston desperately needs the All-Star break to get here as they look gassed and in need of a break. Losing five straight, they will stay on the road and head to Dallas on Saturday to take on the Mavericks. The Mavericks just beat Boston on the road short-handed, so the Rockets have a big road test, looking to snap their biggest losing streak of the season.
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