Timberwolves-Rockets Preview

By ALAN FERGUSON
Posted Mar 14 2013 2:45PM

The Houston Rockets didn't have too many problems in the opener to their longest homestand of the season. The injury-plagued and last-place Minnesota Timberwolves are set to visit next, though they've dominated the recent series between the clubs.

The Rockets try to avoid a fifth loss in six matchups and fourth in a row at home to the Timberwolves on Friday night.

Houston (35-30) followed up a 1-2 road trip with a 111-81 rout of Phoenix on Wednesday. Rookie forward Donatas Motiejunas scored a career-high 19 points to lead six Rockets in double figures and the team's 10 3-pointers gave them double digits in all six games this month.

"We were moving the ball, sharing the ball," point guard Jeremy Lin said. "You could look across (the statistics) and see we had great distribution among the scoring. That's usually a great sign of transition buckets, as well as sharing the ball offensively."

The win helped the Rockets, seventh in the Western Conference, move two games ahead of ninth-place Utah. Houston will try to pad that advantage during a seven-game stretch at home, where it's won seven of eight.

The Rockets' next opponent has dropped 14 of 15 on the road and is 6-25 there overall. Minnesota, however, has looked anything like a bad team in its recent matchups with Houston.

The Timberwolves recorded a 92-79 home victory over the Rockets on Jan. 19 despite the absence of seven players due to injury and illness. Minnesota's leader with 21 points in that game, Andrei Kirilenko, is dealing with a strained calf it's uncertain whether he'll play Friday.

The status of center Nikola Pekovic is also unclear while star forward Kevin Love and former Rockets swingman Chase Budinger are also expected to continue lengthy absences.

Pekovic had 30 points and 12 rebounds in the teams' last meeting in Houston, a 111-98 Wolves victory Feb. 17, 2012. Minnesota has averaged 114.3 points in its three consecutive victories at Houston.

After a stunning 107-83 blowout of Western Conference-leading San Antonio on Tuesday, Minnesota couldn't follow with another victory the next day, falling 107-91 at Indiana. Ricky Rubio scored 21 points for the second straight game, matching a season high, and had 10 assists.

"We played hard. We just didn't have enough. We ran out of gas in the second half, but they competed," coach Rick Adelman said.

Houston's James Harden made two baskets in the final 40 seconds and had 17 of his team-best 30 points in the fourth quarter of an 87-84 road victory over Minnesota on Dec. 26.

Harden made 11 of 22 shots in that game, but missed 13 of 18 and scored 18 points in the January matchup.

Copyright 2013 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Harden, Lin rally Rockets past Minnesota

By CHRIS DUNCAN
Posted Mar 16 2013 2:20AM

HOUSTON (AP) The Houston Rockets wish they could get away from their habit of trailing early in games and needing big second-half rallies to pull them out.

As long as they have James Harden, it seems to be a working formula.

Harden scored 37 points, Jeremy Lin had 24 and the Rockets rallied from 20 points down in the third quarter to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-100 on Friday night.

Harden also grabbed seven rebounds and handed out eight assists for the Rockets, who rallied from a double-digit deficit to win for the 11th time this season.

The Rockets picked up their defense to rally this time, holding the Timberwolves to only 17 field goals after the break. Harden had 25 points in the second half as Houston outscored Minnesota 69-43.

"I kind of saw where we were all sluggish, especially in that first half," Harden said. "You just have to have that confidence to go out there and make plays and score the basketball, drop a couple passes off and work from there."

Derrick Williams and J.J. Barea scored 19 points apiece for the Timberwolves, who led 59-39 early in the third quarter. Minnesota blew a 14-point lead in another loss to Houston earlier this season.

"Houston got very aggressive and they took over the game," Wolves coach Rick Adelman said. "Houston obviously played much better in the second half."

But with a tougher schedule ahead, starting with Sunday's game against Golden State, the Rockets know they can't keep relying on second-half outbursts for victories.

"The first half was so frustrating, we can't afford to play like that," forward Chandler Parsons said. "We can't get down like that and fight back against many teams."

Houston started the game by making some history. The Rockets' first 3-pointer, hit by Parsons, was No. 705 on the season, tying the franchise record set by the 2006-07 team. Lin broke the mark two minutes later.

The Timberwolves, though, looked more like the sharpshooters on the floor at the start, shooting 59 percent (13 of 22) in the first quarter. Minnesota's frontline players went 7 for 9 from the field in the quarter and Alexey Shved sank a pull-up 3 off Houston's eighth turnover in the second for a 38-31 Minnesota lead.

"Normally, they frustrate me," Houston coach Kevin McHale said of his young team. "Tonight, they made me mad."

The league's highest-scoring team coming into the game, Houston mustered only 39 first-half points and trailed by 18. The Rockets had only 15 first-half field goals on eight assists. Minnesota, meanwhile, shot 55 percent from the field (22 of 40) in the half and scored 20 points off Houston's 15 first-half turnovers.

"We were relying on our offense so much in the first half that we weren't making shots," Harden said. "We weren't playing defense at all. We picked up our intensity and energy a little bit."

The Rockets trailed 61-46 early in the third quarter when McHale was whistled for a technical foul. Harden and Lin sank 3-pointers on Houston's next two possessions, and the Rockets started crawling back into it.

Parsons started the fourth quarter with a steal and a breakaway dunk, and Harden drove for another layup to draw Houston within two. Lin tied it at 82-all with a layup following a Minnesota turnover, and Carlos Delfino found Greg Smith cutting down the lane for a dunk to put the Rockets ahead.

Smith got free inside for a dunk and a layup, and Parsons put it away with a 3-pointer from the corner with 1:03 remaining.

The Rockets snapped a three-game losing streak to the Timberwolves at the Toyota Center and sent Minnesota to its 10th loss in 12 games.

Notes: While Miami extended its win streak to 21 games in Milwaukee, Adelman faced the team he led to 22 consecutive victories five years ago. For now, Houston's run stands as the second-longest in NBA history and it still seems unlikely, even to Adelman. "It kind of came out of nowhere," Adelman recalled. "Our guys got on a roll and they had a lot of confidence and they played with it night after night." The Rockets won 11 of the last 13 games in the streak by double digits. "We were dominating games," Adelman said. "It was a great experience." ... All five Minnesota starters reached double figures. ... Houston had its biggest comeback in Toyota Center history.

Copyright 2013 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Notebook: Rockets 108, Timberwolves 100

Matt Miller, For NBA.com
Posted Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:26 AM - Updated Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:26 AM

THE FACTS: The Houston Rockets' largest comeback in Toyota Center history came at the expense of the injury-plagued Minnesota Timberwolves in a 108-100 win Friday night.

James Harden scored 37 points to go with eight assists and seven rebounds, while Jeremy Lin added 24 points, eight assists and four steals as the Rockets overcame a 20-point, third-quarter deficit. Reserve center Greg Smith added 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter for Houston (36-30), which won its eighth home game in its last nine tries while snapping a three-game home losing streak against Minnesota.

Derrick Williams led the Wolves (22-41), losers of seven consecutive road games and 26 of 32 contests overall, with 19 points and four rebounds. J.J. Barea scored 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting, and Greg Stiemsma chipped in with 12 points and four blocks.

QUOTABLE: "They normally just frustrate me. Tonight, they made me mad. They responded, and that's credit to them. ... They do stuff that makes me just shake my head a lot, then they do stuff like that second half, and all is right in Rockets land."

-- Rockets coach Kevin McHale on the inconsistent nature of his young team

THE STAT: After Omer Asik, Harden and Lin combined for 10 of Houston's 15 turnovers in the first half, the trio committed only two after halftime. Their improved focus on the offensive end of the court also prevented the Wolves from generating the easy transition buckets that built their 59-39 advantage. The Rockets did not give up a point off only three turnovers after Minnesota built its largest lead of the evening.

TURNING POINT: Harden got off to a miserable start, shooting 3-for-10 and committing three turnovers before halftime. As soon as his fortunes changed, so did the Rockets'. The 6-foot-5 guard poured in 25 points on 5-for-6 shooting and buried 12 of his 13 free-throw attempts in the second half to guide Houston to its ninth comeback victory from a 20-plus-point deficit in franchise history. Lin's penetration, lack of turnovers and stout defense against Wolves guard Ricky Rubio also played a pivotal role in the Rockets' turnaround.

QUOTABLE II: "He got to the basket on us and took control of the game. ... Obviously, it's very hard stopping him."

-- Wolves coach Rick Adelman on Harden's second-half outburst

HOT: Minnesota's Mickael Gelabale stuffed the stat sheet, posting a line of 10 points, seven boards and five assists in 30-plus minutes on the court. This was not the first time this season that Gelabale gave the Rockets fits. In his Wolves debut, Jan. 19 at Target Center, Gelabale provided clutch plays during a strong fourth-quarter stint to help Minnesota hold off Houston for a 92-79 win.

NOT: Rubio did a decent job of facilitating Minnesota's offense, but the second-year point guard failed to recapture the shooting rhythm he found when he netted 21 points in his previous two outings. In addition to his dismal 4-for-13 shooting effort, Rubio was torched on the other end of the court by the brawnier Lin and Harden throughout Houston's second-half surge.

QUOTABLE III: "He's a great passer, and he likes to distribute, so we were trying to make him shoot and score as much as we could."

-- Jeremy Lin on his defensive game plan against Rubio

GOOD MOVE: With Houston desperately aiming to avoid a disappointing result that would have damaged its playoff aspirations, Harden and McHale threw caution to the wind. Harden, who was labeled as a game-time decision hours before the game with a sore left foot, did not spend a second of the third and fourth periods on the bench.

BAD MOVE: The Rockets seemed to overlook injury-riddled Minnesota and approached the first half in a complacent manner, allowing the Wolves to live off their careless turnovers. After Houston allowed 20 points off 15 turnovers over the first two quarters, a chorus of boos greeted the Rockets as they walked toward the locker room facing an 18-point halftime deficit.

NOTABLE: Before the game, McHale said Rockets trainer Keith Jones told him that Harden's lingering sore foot cannot get any worse. ... Houston, which has buried 715 3-point attempts this season, surpassed its previous franchise record of 705 made treys in a season. With 16 games remaining in the regular season, the Rockets are on course to set the NBA record for most 3-point baskets in a regular season. ... Houston has drained at least 10 3-point attempts in seven consecutive contests. ... Rockets reserve wing Carlos Delfino grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds. ... Houston improved to 11-3 this season when Harden scores at least 20 points and dishes out at least eight assists. ... The Wolves fell to 7-25 on the road this season.

UP NEXT: For the Wolves, Sunday vs. New Orleans, Monday @ Memphis, Thursday @ Sacramento. For the Rockets, Sunday vs. Golden State, Wednesday vs. Utah, Friday vs. Cleveland.

• Timberwolves: Budinger, Lee, Roy
• Rockets: Jones, White

• Timberwolves: --
• Rockets: McHale

• Lead Changes: 5
• Times Tied: 6

• Arena: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
• Officials: #8 Marc Davis, #20 Leroy Richardson, #28 Zach Zarba
• Attendance: 18046
• Duration: 2:12

Minnesota Timberwolves (22-40)		Houston Rockets (35-30)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Asik vs Stiemsma (Parsons gains possession)
	11:48	Motiejunas Jump Hook Shot: Missed Block: Stiemsma (1 BLK)
Rubio Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:46
Stiemsma Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Gelabale (1 AST)	11:27 [MIN 2-0]
	11:06	Asik Reverse Layup Shot: Missed
	11:06	Asik Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	11:06	Asik Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)
Williams Layup Shot: Missed Block: Asik (1 BLK)	11:06
Williams Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	11:06
Williams Putback Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	10:52 [MIN 4-0]
	10:42 [HOU 3-4]	Parsons 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS)
Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed	10:23
Gelabale Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	10:22
Williams Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (1 AST)	10:13 [MIN 6-3]
	10:01 [HOU 5-6]	Lin Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Gelabale Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Williams (1 AST)	09:46 [MIN 8-5]
	09:25	Motiejunas 3pt Shot: Missed
Williams Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	09:24
Williams Foul: Offensive Charge (1 PF)	09:19
Williams Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	09:19
Team Violation : Delay Of Game	09:19
Ridnour Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (3 FTA)	09:10
	09:10 [HOU 6-8]	Harden Free Throw 1 of 3 (1 PTS)
	09:10 [HOU 7-8]	Harden Free Throw 2 of 3 (2 PTS)
	09:10	Harden Free Throw 3 of 3 Missed
	09:09	Asik Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)
	08:55 [HOU 10-8]	Lin 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Harden (1 AST)
Rubio Pullup Jump shot: Missed	08:31
	08:29	Harden Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	08:19	Motiejunas 3pt Shot: Missed
Rubio Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	08:18
Williams Foul: Offensive Charge (2 PF)	08:13
Williams Turnover : Foul (2 TO)	08:13
Williams Substitution replaced by Cunningham	08:13
	08:06	Lin Jump Shot: Missed
Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:06
Ridnour Pullup Jump shot: Made (2 PTS)	07:59 [MIN 10-10]
Stiemsma Violation:Defensive Goaltending	07:48
	07:48 [HOU 12-10]	Parsons Driving Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Motiejunas (1 AST)
Rubio 3pt Shot: Missed	07:25
	07:24	Parsons Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:02	Parsons 3pt Shot: Missed
Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	07:01
Rubio Running Jump Shot: Missed	06:49
	06:46	Asik Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	06:40	Harden 3pt Shot: Missed
Rubio Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	06:39
	06:33	Asik Violation:Kicked Ball
Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (2 AST)	06:23 [MIN 12-12]
	06:13	Asik Foul: Offensive (1 PF)
	06:13	Asik Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
Rubio Pullup Bank shot: Missed	05:55
Gelabale Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	05:53
Ridnour Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Gelabale (2 AST)	05:51 [MIN 14-12]
	05:43	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:29	Harden Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed	05:11
	05:10	Motiejunas Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Rubio Foul: Personal (1 PF)	05:08
	05:00 [HOU 14-14]	Asik Slam Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Lin (1 AST)
Ridnour 3pt Shot: Missed	04:33
	04:32	Parsons Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Stiemsma Foul: Personal (1 PF)	04:17
	04:01	Lin 3pt Shot: Missed
Rubio Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	03:59
Ridnour 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Gelabale (3 AST)	03:47 [MIN 17-14]
	03:29	Lin Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
	03:29	Asik Substitution replaced by Smith
Ridnour Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Lin (1 ST)	03:19
	03:05	Harden Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	03:04
Gelabale 3pt Shot: Missed	02:56
	02:55	Parsons Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	02:51	Parsons Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Gelabale Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	02:50
Stiemsma Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Rubio (1 AST)	02:41 [MIN 19-14]
	02:20 [HOU 17-19]	Harden 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Parsons (1 AST)
Rubio Pullup Jump shot: Made (2 PTS)	02:04 [MIN 21-17]
	01:52 [HOU 20-21]	Harden 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS)
Cunningham Jump Hook Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Stiemsma (1 AST)	01:33 [MIN 23-20]
	01:22 [HOU 22-23]	Lin Driving Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Stiemsma Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Rubio (2 AST)	01:03 [MIN 25-22]
	00:51.9	Harden Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Stiemsma (2 BLK)
Gelabale Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	00:49.9
Gelabale Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Cunningham (1 AST)	00:46.0 [MIN 27-22]
	00:29.9	Harden Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Rubio (1 ST)
Ridnour Foul: Offensive Charge (2 PF)	00:26.1
Ridnour Turnover : Foul (2 TO)	00:26.1
Team Timeout : Regular	00:26.1
Ridnour Substitution replaced by Shved	00:26.1
Rubio Substitution replaced by Barea	00:26.1
	00:26.1	Parsons Substitution replaced by Beverley
	00:26.1	Lin Substitution replaced by Delfino
	00:01.9	Harden 3pt Shot: Missed
Gelabale Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	00:00.0
End of 1st Quarter
Minnesota Timberwolves (22-40)		Houston Rockets (35-30)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
	11:48	Robinson Foul: Personal (1 PF)
	11:40	Beverley Foul: Personal (1 PF)
Stiemsma Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	11:26
	11:24	Robinson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:08 [HOU 24-27]	Robinson Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Stiemsma Foul: Shooting Block (2 PF) (1 FTA)	11:08
	11:08	Robinson Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed
Stiemsma Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:08
Shved 3pt Shot: Missed	10:50
	10:48	Robinson Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	10:39	Smith Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Gelabale (1 ST)
Shved Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Gelabale (4 AST)	10:34 [MIN 29-24]
	10:17 [HOU 26-29]	Smith Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Garcia (1 AST)
Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed	10:01
	10:00	Robinson Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	09:51	Robinson Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed Block: Stiemsma (3 BLK)
	09:49	Robinson Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	09:48	Smith Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	09:48
Stiemsma Substitution replaced by Johnson	09:48
Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Shved (1 AST)	09:31 [MIN 31-26]
	09:05	Delfino 3pt Shot: Missed
	09:04	Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	08:48 [HOU 29-31]	Delfino 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Beverley (1 AST)
Barea Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Robinson (1 ST)	08:27
	08:12	Garcia Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Cunningham (1 ST)
Gelabale Driving Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)	08:08 [MIN 33-29]
Johnson Violation:Defensive Goaltending	07:58
	07:58 [HOU 31-33]	Delfino Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS)
Gelabale 3pt Shot: Missed	07:49
	07:48	Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	07:29	Smith Driving Hook Shot: Missed
Barea Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:28
	07:15	Garcia Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
	07:15
	07:15	Smith Substitution replaced by Asik
	07:15	Garcia Substitution replaced by Harden
Johnson Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	07:15 [MIN 34-31]
Johnson Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	07:15 [MIN 35-31]
	06:56	Asik Layup Shot: Missed Block: Johnson (1 BLK)
Johnson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	06:55
Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed	06:45
	06:44	Asik Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	06:32	Robinson Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Barea (1 ST)
Shved 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Barea (1 AST)	06:27 [MIN 38-31]
	06:13	Delfino 3pt Shot: Missed
	06:12	Beverley Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
Johnson Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	06:09
	06:09 [HOU 32-38]	Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)
	06:09	Robinson Substitution replaced by Parsons
Gelabale Substitution replaced by Williams	06:09
Cunningham Substitution replaced by Rubio	06:09
	06:09 [HOU 33-38]	Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)
	05:55	Beverley Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (3 FTA)
	05:55	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:55	Beverley Substitution replaced by Lin
Rubio Free Throw 1 of 3 Missed	05:55
Team Rebound	05:55
Rubio Free Throw 2 of 3 (3 PTS)	05:55 [MIN 39-33]
Rubio Free Throw 3 of 3 (4 PTS)	05:55 [MIN 40-33]
	05:42	Harden Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Barea (2 ST)
	05:39	Parsons Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Shved Free Throw 1 of 2 (6 PTS)	05:39 [MIN 41-33]
Shved Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	05:39
	05:39	Delfino Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	05:25	Delfino 3pt Shot: Missed
	05:22	Asik Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)
	05:20 [HOU 35-41]	Asik Putback Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Barea 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Rubio (3 AST)	05:10 [MIN 44-35]
	04:47 [HOU 37-44]	Delfino Turnaround Fadeaway shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Lin (2 AST)
Rubio Turnover : Step Out of Bounds Turnover (1 TO)	04:36
Shved Foul: Personal (1 PF)	04:26
Johnson Substitution replaced by Stiemsma	04:26
	04:19	Lin 3pt Shot: Missed
	04:18	Asik Rebound (Off:4 Def:2)
	04:16	Asik Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Rubio (2 ST)
Barea Driving Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS)	03:58 [MIN 46-37]
	03:58	Harden Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (1 FTA)
Barea Free Throw 1 of 1 (6 PTS)	03:58 [MIN 47-37]
	03:42	Delfino Pullup Jump shot: Missed
Rubio Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	03:40
Shved Jump Shot: Missed	03:35
	03:34	Asik Rebound (Off:4 Def:3)
	03:27	Lin Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
Stiemsma Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Barea (2 AST)	03:12 [MIN 49-37]
	03:07	Team Timeout : Short
	02:58	Asik Foul: Offensive Charge (2 PF)
	02:58	Asik Turnover : Foul (4 TO)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:58
	02:58	Asik Substitution replaced by Motiejunas
	02:46	Delfino Foul: Personal (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Williams Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	02:46 [MIN 50-37]
Williams Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	02:46
	02:46	Motiejunas Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	02:35	Harden 3pt Shot: Missed
Shved Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	02:33
Williams 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Shved (2 AST)	02:23 [MIN 53-37]
	02:12	Lin Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (3 TO)
Rubio Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Delfino (1 ST)	02:05
	01:59 [HOU 39-53]	Harden Driving Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Delfino (1 AST)
Williams Jump Shot: Missed	01:38
Stiemsma Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	01:36
	01:19	Motiejunas Foul: Personal (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Shved Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)	01:19 [MIN 54-39]
Shved Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)	01:19 [MIN 55-39]
	01:13	Parsons Foul: Offensive (2 PF)
	01:13	Parsons Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Barea Driving Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)	01:01 [MIN 57-39]
	00:52.8	Harden Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Stiemsma (4 BLK)
Shved Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	00:51.4
Shved 3pt Shot: Missed	00:28.9
	00:27.7	Delfino Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	00:21.6	Motiejunas Turnover : Step Out of Bounds Turnover (1 TO)
Rubio 3pt Shot: Missed	00:03.9
	00:02.9	Harden Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	00:00.0	Harden 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 2nd Quarter
Minnesota Timberwolves (22-40)		Houston Rockets (35-30)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Stiemsma Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Gelabale (5 AST)	11:41 [MIN 59-39]
	11:25 [HOU 42-59]	Harden 3pt Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Motiejunas (2 AST)
Williams Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Rubio (4 AST)	11:13 [MIN 61-42]
	11:03 [HOU 44-61]	Motiejunas Turnaround Hook Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Parsons (2 AST)
Williams Jump Shot: Missed	10:47
	10:46	Asik Rebound (Off:4 Def:4)
	10:29	Asik Reverse Layup Shot: Missed
Stiemsma Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	10:28
Ridnour 3pt Shot: Missed	10:11
	10:10	Parsons Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
Ridnour Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	10:03
	10:03 [HOU 45-61]	Lin Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)
	10:03 [HOU 46-61]	Lin Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)
Williams Jump Shot: Missed	09:48
	09:46	Asik Rebound (Off:4 Def:5)
	09:40	McHale Technical
Ridnour Free Throw Technical (8 PTS)	09:40 [MIN 62-46]
	09:31 [HOU 49-62]	Harden 3pt Shot: Made (18 PTS)
Williams Foul: Offensive Charge (3 PF)	09:11
Williams Turnover : Foul (3 TO)	09:11
	09:00 [HOU 51-62]	Lin Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS)
Rubio 3pt Shot: Missed	08:42
	08:40	Harden Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Stiemsma Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	08:31
Team Timeout : Regular	08:31
	08:31 [HOU 52-62]	Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (19 PTS)
	08:31 [HOU 53-62]	Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 (20 PTS)
Williams 3pt Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Rubio (5 AST)	08:12 [MIN 65-53]
	07:58 [HOU 55-65]	Harden Driving Layup Shot: Made (22 PTS) Assist: Lin (3 AST)
Stiemsma Foul: Shooting (4 PF) (1 FTA)	07:58
Stiemsma Substitution replaced by Johnson	07:58
	07:58 [HOU 56-65]	Harden Free Throw 1 of 1 (23 PTS)
Gelabale Jump Shot: Missed	07:35
	07:34	Harden Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	07:26 [HOU 58-65]	Asik Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Harden (2 AST)
Williams 3pt Shot: Missed	07:06
	07:05	Harden Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
Gelabale Foul: Personal (1 PF)	07:01
	06:43	Lin Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Johnson (2 BLK)
Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	06:40
	06:30	Harden Foul: Shooting Block (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Williams Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)	06:30 [MIN 66-58]
Williams Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)	06:30 [MIN 67-58]
	06:20	Parsons Turnover : Illegal Assist Turnover (2 TO)
Johnson Jump Shot: Missed	06:01
	06:00	Team Rebound
	05:47 [HOU 60-67]	Motiejunas Running Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Harden (3 AST)
Rubio Pullup Jump shot: Made (6 PTS)	05:28 [MIN 69-60]
Johnson Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	05:10
	05:10	Lin Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	05:10	Team Rebound
	05:10 [HOU 61-69]	Lin Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)
	04:59	Parsons Foul: Personal (3 PF)
Williams 3pt Shot: Missed	04:47
Gelabale Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)	04:46
Williams Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Lin (2 ST)	04:42
	04:38	Parsons Layup Shot: Missed Block: Rubio (1 BLK)
Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	04:35
Gelabale Turnaround Fadeaway shot: Made (8 PTS)	04:15 [MIN 71-61]
Delay Technical - MIN	04:14
	04:14 [HOU 62-71]	Harden Free Throw Technical (24 PTS)
	04:14	Parsons Substitution replaced by Delfino
	04:03 [HOU 65-71]	Harden 3pt Shot: Made (27 PTS) Assist: Motiejunas (3 AST)
Rubio Running Jump Shot: Missed	03:46
Rubio Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	03:45
Williams Putback Layup Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Rubio (6 AST)	03:45 [MIN 73-65]
	03:28	Lin 3pt Shot: Missed
	03:27	Asik Rebound (Off:5 Def:5)
	03:27	Asik Tip Shot: Missed
	03:24	Delfino Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	03:21 [HOU 68-73]	Lin 3pt Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Harden (4 AST)
Johnson Jump Shot: Missed	03:00
	03:00	Asik Rebound (Off:5 Def:6)
	02:43	Motiejunas 3pt Shot: Missed
Gelabale Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)	02:42
Gelabale Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (3 AST)	02:25 [MIN 75-68]
Johnson Foul: Personal (3 PF) (2 FTA)	02:08
	02:08	Team Timeout : Regular
	02:08	Asik Substitution replaced by Smith
Gelabale Substitution replaced by Cunningham	02:08
Ridnour Substitution replaced by Barea	02:08
Johnson Substitution replaced by Shved	02:08
	02:08 [HOU 69-75]	Lin Free Throw 1 of 2 (16 PTS)
	02:08 [HOU 70-75]	Lin Free Throw 2 of 2 (17 PTS)
	01:50	Motiejunas Substitution replaced by Parsons
Rubio Jump Bank Shot: Made (8 PTS)	01:45 [MIN 77-70]
	01:45	Lin Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (1 FTA)
Rubio Free Throw 1 of 1 (9 PTS)	01:45 [MIN 78-70]
	01:30	Harden Foul: Offensive Charge (3 PF)
	01:30	Harden Turnover : Foul (4 TO)
Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed Block: Delfino (1 BLK)	01:15
	01:14	Delfino Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
Barea Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	00:58.7
	00:58.7 [HOU 71-78]	Delfino Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)
	00:58.7 [HOU 72-78]	Delfino Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)
Shved 3pt Shot: Missed	00:33.9
	00:33.0	Team Rebound
	00:27.9	Harden 3pt Shot: Missed
Shved Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	00:26.9
Barea Driving Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS)	00:08.3 [MIN 80-72]
	00:04.0 [HOU 74-80]	Lin Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (19 PTS)
Rubio Running Jump Shot: Missed	00:00.0
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 3rd Quarter
Minnesota Timberwolves (22-40)		Houston Rockets (35-30)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
	11:39	Delfino 3pt Shot: Missed
Rubio Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)	11:38
Shved Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Parsons (1 ST)	11:16
	11:12 [HOU 76-80]	Parsons Dunk Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Harden (5 AST)
Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed	10:53
Barea Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	10:52
Barea 3pt Shot: Missed	10:45
Williams Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	10:44
Shved 3pt Shot: Missed	10:37
	10:36	Harden Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
Barea Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	10:20
	10:20 [HOU 77-80]	Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (28 PTS)
Rubio Substitution replaced by Gelabale	10:20
	10:20 [HOU 78-80]	Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 (29 PTS)
Williams Dunk Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Shved (3 AST)	10:07 [MIN 82-78]
	09:47	Parsons Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed
Cunningham Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:44
Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed	09:34
	09:33	Delfino Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	09:15 [HOU 80-82]	Harden Driving Layup Shot: Made (31 PTS)
Gelabale Foul: Shooting Block (2 PF) (1 FTA)	09:15
Team Timeout : Regular	09:15
	09:15	Beverley Substitution replaced by Lin
Williams Substitution replaced by Stiemsma	09:15
	09:15	Harden Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed
Stiemsma Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	09:15
Shved Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Lin (3 ST)	08:55
	08:51 [HOU 82-82]	Lin Layup Shot: Made (21 PTS) Assist: Harden (6 AST)
Barea 3pt Shot: Missed	08:23
	08:22	Delfino Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	08:16 [HOU 84-82]	Smith Slam Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Delfino (2 AST)
Barea 3pt Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Shved (4 AST)	07:52 [MIN 85-84]
	07:27	Lin 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	07:27
	07:27	Parsons Foul: Loose Ball (4 PF)
Shved Substitution replaced by Rubio	07:27
Gelabale Substitution replaced by Ridnour	07:27
Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed	07:10
	07:09	Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
Cunningham Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	06:59
	06:59 [HOU 85-85]	Smith Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
	06:59 [HOU 86-85]	Smith Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)
Rubio Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Lin (4 ST)	06:42
Cunningham Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	06:28
	06:28	Smith Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	06:28	Team Rebound
Cunningham Substitution replaced by Williams	06:28
	06:28	Smith Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
	06:28	Delfino Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)
	06:03	Parsons 3pt Shot: Missed
Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)	06:02
	05:49	Lin Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)
	05:49
Rubio Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)	05:49 [MIN 86-86]
Rubio Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	05:49
	05:49	Delfino Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)
	05:30 [HOU 89-86]	Lin 3pt Shot: Made (24 PTS) Assist: Harden (7 AST)
Stiemsma Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Barea (3 AST)	05:08 [MIN 88-89]
	04:46 [HOU 91-88]	Smith Dunk Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Harden (8 AST)
Rubio Pullup Jump shot: Missed	04:33
	04:31	Lin Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	04:21 [HOU 93-88]	Smith Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Lin (4 AST)
Ridnour Foul: Offensive (4 PF)	04:09
Ridnour Turnover : Foul (3 TO)	04:09
Rubio Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	03:53
	03:53 [HOU 94-88]	Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (32 PTS)
	03:53 [HOU 95-88]	Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 (33 PTS)
Williams 3pt Shot: Missed	03:41
	03:40	Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	03:29	Harden Foul: Offensive (4 PF)
	03:29	Harden Turnover : Foul (5 TO)
Ridnour 3pt Shot: Missed	03:16
	03:15	Team Rebound
Rubio Foul: Personal Block (3 PF) (2 FTA)	03:08
	03:08 [HOU 96-88]	Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (34 PTS)
	03:08 [HOU 97-88]	Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 (35 PTS)
Barea Jump Shot: Made (15 PTS)	02:53 [MIN 90-97]
	02:27 [HOU 99-90]	Parsons Floating Jump shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Lin (5 AST)
Barea 3pt Shot: Missed	02:16
	02:13	Harden Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)
	01:53	Lin 3pt Shot: Missed
Stiemsma Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	01:53
Barea Layup Shot: Made (17 PTS)	01:45 [MIN 92-99]
	01:44	Team Timeout : Regular
	01:21	Parsons 3pt Shot: Missed
	01:20	Delfino Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)
	01:18	Delfino Layup Shot: Missed
	01:17	Delfino Rebound (Off:4 Def:6)
	01:03 [HOU 102-92]	Parsons 3pt Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Lin (6 AST)
Barea Turnaround Fadeaway shot: Missed	00:58.9
Williams Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)	00:56.8
Barea Driving Layup Shot: Made (19 PTS)	00:46.9 [MIN 94-102]
	00:43.8 [HOU 104-94]	Parsons Dunk Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Lin (7 AST)
Ridnour Driving Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Rubio (7 AST)	00:39.8 [MIN 96-104]
	00:31.1 [HOU 106-96]	Smith Dunk Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Lin (8 AST)
	00:30.5	Harden Foul: Personal (5 PF)
Rubio Pullup Jump shot: Made (12 PTS)	00:25.4 [MIN 98-106]
	00:25.4	Team Timeout : Short
Ridnour Foul: Personal Take (5 PF) (2 FTA)	00:24.2
	00:24.2 [HOU 107-98]	Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (36 PTS)
	00:24.2 [HOU 108-98]	Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 (37 PTS)
	00:20.2	Smith Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Rubio Free Throw 1 of 2 (13 PTS)	00:20.2 [MIN 99-108]
Rubio Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)	00:20.2 [MIN 100-108]
End of 4th Quarter