Game 2: Minnesota Timberwolves 82-102 Houston Rockets - 5 Talking Points
So the Minnesota Timberwolves fooled all of us with the close Game 1, convincing us that they could make this series more than just a 1-8 matchup. Unfortunately, Game 2 didn't turn out like the previous contest on Sunday and the Houston Rockets cruised to a 20-point victory, dismissing any doubts that this was even going to be close.
As has been discussed multiple times, the Rockets won all the four regular-season matchups with the Timberwolves by an average margin of 15.8 points and that's what this game looked like.
Minnesota played worse than they did in Game 1 and although James Harden struggled, the Rockets played far better and grinded hard for the win. The series now shifts to Minnesota for Games 3 & 4 at the Target Center but given the difference in the squads, I seriously doubt a scenery change is going to really affect the Rockets.
But before we get to Game 3, let's take a look at the five biggest takeaways from Game 2:
#5 Harden's shooting struggles
Harden carried the Rockets to a victory in Game 1 when almost everybody was having a sub-par game and the Timberwolves had come to play.
He put up 44 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals on 15-of-26 shooting. His performance was crucial, otherwise, the best team in the league would be going into Game 2, down 0-1. Anyways, Wednesday was a new day and for whatever reason Harden couldn't replicate his performance from Game 1.
He finished the game with 12 points (7 made FT's) on only 2-of-18 shooting, including 1-of-10 from beyond the arc and just a +1 in the +/- category He was 1-of-9 or something along those lines after the first quarter, after which he kept trying to jack up three-pointers in an attempt to get his rhythm back. He never did and honestly, the team never needed it as it comfortably extended their lead repeatedly when Harden was on the bench.
Having said all of that, this isn't the Harden of old. Despite his shooting struggles, he contributed in pretty much every other facet of the game - 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks. The win, even with Harden's shooting and scoring struggles, speaks to the depth and greatness of this team.
Wolves' bad offense
Jimmy Butler injuries - Midway through 3rd, flexing shoulder