Timberwolves get back on track with dominant win over Rockets

After losing consecutive games for the first time this season after a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said the team needed to get back to its identity of being big, physical and playing stout defense.

It didn’t take long for his pack to get back to what vaulted them to first place in the Western Conference.

The Wolves played bigger, stronger, and frankly, looked like themselves as they ran the Houston Rockets off the floor in a 122-95 victory Friday night at the Toyota Center in Houston.

It was clear early on that the Wolves (25-9) had a fire under them Friday night. While Alperen Sengun buoyed the Rockets (17-16) throughout the first quarter, scoring 11 points in the opening frame, Houston still went into the second quarter down eight.

Sengun finished with 19 points and five rebounds, Jalen Green scored 20 and Jabari Smith Jr. had 16 points, but overall, the Rockets were not very effective against the Timberwolves’ top-ranked defense. They scored just 46 points in the first half and went into the break down 10. They shot just 40% from the field on the night.

"Everybody was out there making some grimy defensive plays we were able to turn into 25 fast-break points, which is a lot for us, and something we've been stressing, too," Finch told reporters postgame. 

Minnesota, meanwhile, showed right from the jump that it’s keen on fixing issues that have plagued the team the last few weeks. The Wolves toned down the turnovers, recording just seven in the first half and finishing with just 13 for the game, one of which came after both teams had emptied their benches. 

One of the positives from Wednesday’s loss to the Pelicans was that Minnesota was being more intentional moving the ball, with the team looking to create for each other, recording 26 assists on 37 made baskets. The Wolves continued to show positives in that regard on Friday, assisting on 31 of 46 made baskets on a night they shot 52.3% from the field and 42.4% from 3-point range.

"We had 31 assists, which is how we have been playing before the last couple weeks," Finch said. "Only 13 turnovers, which is huge for us because we've been struggling in that category." 

The Wolves also brought back their physicality on the glass. In both of their consecutive losses — Wednesday to the Pelicans and Monday at the New York Knicks — the Wolves were significantly outrebounded. But on Friday, Minnesota took control of the boards from the outset, closing the game with a 51-39 advantage on the glass.

Jordan McLaughlin was once again featured in the rotation and made good things happen, tallying three points, three assists, three rebounds and two steals in 13 minutes. He finished with a plus-minus of plus-19. Naz Reid also provided a spark off the bench with 16 points, seven rebounds and a plus-minus of plus-21.

Per usual, the Wolves’ offense ran through Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, although they got plenty of help with six Timberwolves players scoring in double figures. Edwards had 24 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals, while Towns finished his night with 22 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Jaden McDaniels had 16 points, Rudy Gobert tallied 13 points and 12 rebounds and Nickeil Alexander-Walker finished with 11 points. 

"Six guys in doubles. Looked like it was fun to play basketball with each other today," Finch said. 

Final key stats

• Anthony Edwards: 24 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals (5 turnovers)
• Karl-Anthony Towns: 22 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block (4 turnovers)
• Jaden McDaniels: 16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal 
• Naz Reid: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
• Rudy Gobert: 13 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1 assist
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks 
• Jalen Green: 20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists 
• Alperen Sengun: 19 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist