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Offensive click, Rockets take on low-scoring Wolves


December 23, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) passes the ball to Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Photos

While the Rockets had a chance to shine in the NBA Cup semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder two weeks ago, poor shooting again humbled Houston.

On Thursday, the Rockets went 3-0 on the road with a 128-111 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, extending their winning streak to four since losing to the Thunder in Las Vegas. The Rockets’ current run of success is an offense that has found a rhythm.

The Rockets will open a five-game homestand against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

Houston is shooting 48.1 percent during its victory, including an impressive 57.4 percent inside the three-point arc. The Rockets have already made a name for themselves as one of the best defensive teams in the league, but their lack of performance has been a stumbling block.

“We had the same look with OKC in Las Vegas and we missed the same look,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said of the recent shooting percentage slump. “It would be good to have them that night against a team that loads the paint and tries to prove that.

“Guys are shooting with confidence, getting the job done. We’ve had some leg-up days under us and, yeah, we’ve had some big shooting nights lately. And, obviously, when you play defense at the level we’re at. and you make a shot, you have good results.”

Houston won the last two games of its road trip without forwards Dillon Brooks (ankle) and Tari Eason (leg), with the status of both unknown against the Timberwolves. Even without that defense, the Rockets showed depth and their offense continues to grow, as the backcourt of Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet combined for 55 points against the Pelicans while Cam Whitmore scored 27 points.

The Timberwolves were riding a six-game winning streak before a showdown with the New York Knicks — their offseason trade partner — on Dec. 19.

What followed was a 26-point loss that sent Minnesota into another tailspin: a three-game skid snapped with a 105-99 home victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas that sent the Timberwolves back over .500.

Minnesota rolled the dice by trading Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks after advancing to the Western Conference finals last season. The additions of Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo took a while to come together.

Anthony Edwards continues to serve as a fulcrum for the Timberwolves, and his late heroics prevented a major collapse after Dallas blew a 28-point lead in the final minute. However, Minnesota remains a bottom-10 offense despite Edwards’ influence, and its inability to find the right gear is taking longer than expected.

“We have a good group of guys,” Edwards said. “The main thing is to be patient. It’s a different team so we have to be patient to be able to put it together. Sometimes it looks good, sometimes it looks bad and we’re still trying to figure it out.

“I think patience is what’s going to take us to the top. Being able to wait and see, and when we get it, we’ll be ready.”

–Field Level Media



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