The Rockets took a commanding 2-0 series lead over Minnesota with a 102-82 win. Minnesota led after the first quarter, but Houston’s defense smothered them for the rest of the night. On a night where James Harden struggled shooting the ball, this defense came up big. Not a single Timberwolve scored over 20 points. Chris Paul led the charge on offense for the Rockets, scoring 27 while dishing out 8 assists. If this is what Houston looks like when Harden goes 2-18 from the field and 1-10 from 3, watch out. This was a statement game big time. In last year’s playoffs, if Harden struggled the Rockets got spanked. CP3 has the skills to carry a game both with his scoring and his ability to get his teammates good looks. And their new and improved defense makes them a real scary team. This offense can outscore just about anybody, and if they are forcing 16 turnovers and ripping 8 steals like they did last night not many teams stand a chance. Now they have to keep the pressure on as the series moves to Minnesota. The Timberwolves are clearly overmatched here, but any NBA team can get a win at home. The Rockets need to end this ASAP and get a few days off, wasting time would just be silly.
