One night after a historic collapse versus the NBA’s worst team by record, the Houston Rockets got some revenge on that same floor.
Even with star center Christian Wood sidelined with a sore right ankle, the Rockets cruised past the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, 129-107 (box score). Houston scored 41 points in the first quarter and raced out to a 29-point lead before halftime. It was a stark contrast from Friday, which represented only the fourth NBA game in the last 25 years in which a team went scoreless over the final 7:30 of the fourth quarter.
For the Rockets (13-32), who were on a historic 20-game losing streak earlier in the week, it’s their second victory in four games since. With the win, Houston increased its lead over Minnesota (11-35) to 2.5 games in the race to avoid last place in the Western Conference.
After missing the last three games with right quad soreness, second-year guard Kevin Porter Jr. returned and scored a team-high 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting (66.7%), including 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%). Part of the motivation behind Thursday’s decision to trade Victor Oladipo was reportedly to give Porter a consistent role as a starter, and the 20-year-old took full advantage in his first opportunity since the deal.
Another standout was newly acquired big man Kelly Olynyk, who started in place of Wood for his Houston debut and had 16 points (4-of-6 on 3-pointers), 4 assists, and 3 steals in 25 minutes. DJ Augustin added 20 points and 4 assists in 24 minutes off the bench, while Sterling Brown scored 16 points on 4-of-6 shooting (66.7%) on 3-pointers. Veteran floor general John Wall had 13 points and a game-high 12 assists.
#Rockets defeat the Timberwolves 129-107, picking up their 13th win of the season. Adjust your ping pong balls accordingly.
Porter Jr: 25 points on 10-15 shooting
Olynyk: 16 points, 4-6 from 3 in his debut
Augustin: 20 points off the bench— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) March 28, 2021
Star center Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with 27 points and 15 rebounds, while rookie Anthony Edwards also scored 27. However, the majority of those points came in extensive garbage time, with the Rockets in complete control over the game’s final three-plus quarters.
The Rockets will return to action when Memphis visits Houston’s Toyota Center on Monday night. For now, here’s a look back at highlights and postgame reaction from Saturday night in Minneapolis.
KPJ said he has a little bit of turf toe. Foot got stepped on. @cayleighgriffin. #Rockets
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) March 28, 2021
Stephen Silas says he watched Kevin Porter Jr through the entire G League bubble and is pleasantly surprised that his scoring has translated to the NBA level.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) March 28, 2021
Stephen Silas said he was impressed with Kevin Porter Jr's scoring tonight but added he is not just a scorer. "He makes plays for others. He puts pressure on the defense. He has a pace about him that makes him tough to guard."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) March 28, 2021
Stephen Silas on Christian Wood not playing tonight because of right ankle soreness: “I don’t think it’s very serious at all “ pic.twitter.com/W9FvEgnyt8
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 28, 2021
