On December 28th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with a focus on the Western Conference as the Houston Rockets hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves. Prior to the game, the Rockets had a record of 21 wins and 9 losses, ranking second in the West, while the Timberwolves had 15 wins and 14 losses, ranking ninth in the West. The Rockets were led by Jalen Green and Shen Jing, while the Timberwolves were led by Edwards and Randle. The two teams had met once this season, with the Rockets narrowly winning 117-111 on the road. This time, the game returned to the Rockets' home court. Who would win the game? Let's wait and see. After four quarters of play, the Rockets lost 112-113 to the Timberwolves. The Rockets' player ratings: 3 perfect scores, 4 passes, 3 slumps!
Game Preview:
Before the game, the Rockets had a regular-season record of 21 wins and 9 losses, which is quite good for the season so far. They are currently on a four-game winning streak. So far this season, the team averages 113.4 points per game, ranking 12th in the league, allowing 106.5 points per game, ranking third in the league, and averaging 49.7 rebounds per game, ranking first in the league. It can be seen that the team's defensive ability is good, and they also do well in rebounding. The team just won big against the Pelicans on the road yesterday, so physical allocation will be an issue for the Rockets in this back-to-back game. Additionally, the performance of Jalen Green and VanVleet is also crucial. For this game, the Rockets need to continue to do well defensively.
As for the Timberwolves, their regular-season record before the game was 15 wins and 14 losses, with a win rate barely over 50%. In the last game, the team narrowly beat the Mavericks by 6 points, ending an embarrassing three-game losing streak, greatly boosting morale. So far this season, the team averages 109.1 points per game, ranking 23rd in the league, allowing 106.9 points per game, ranking fourth in the league. It can be seen that the team's offensive ability is average, but their defensive ability is good. The team's core guard, Edwards, averages 253+5.6+4 this season. For this game, the team challenges the Rockets on the road, and the performance of Edwards and Randle is equally critical. As a defensive team, the whole team needs to be prepared. Can the team complete the "revenge"? Let's wait and see!
The starting lineups for both teams are as follows:
The Rockets are Shen Jing, Jalen Green, Smith, Amen, and VanVleet.
The Timberwolves are Conley, Edwards, Randle, Gobert, and McDaniels.
Game Highlights:
In the first quarter, the Timberwolves attacked first, with Randle hitting a three-pointer from the top of the arc, and Shen Jing scoring 2 points under the basket, making it 2-3 for the Rockets and Timberwolves. The Timberwolves missed their next attack, but Shen Jing made a follow-up shot, and VanVleet hit a three-pointer. The Timberwolves missed again, and Amen soared for a layup, scoring 2 points. Edwards hit a three-pointer, followed by VanVleet missing both free throws. Edwards soared for a layup, scoring 2 points, and Randall made a layup. Shen Jing scored 2 points under the basket, with the two teams closely tied in score.
After a timeout, Jalen Green dunked for 2 points, Gobert missed both free throws, and Reid made a layup, making it 13-12. Then Jalen Green hit a three-pointer from outside, and Edwards responded with a three-pointer. The Rockets missed their next attack, and Edwards hit another three-pointer in transition. VanVleet also hit a three-pointer from the right corner, and Shen Jing made both free throws. Edwards made a buzzer-beating layup at the end of the first quarter, leaving the Rockets trailing the Timberwolves 21-22.
VanVleet hit a three-pointer
In the second quarter, Shen Jing scored 2 points under the basket at the start, but the Rockets missed their next attack, and DiVincenzo hit a three-pointer. Amen made a beautiful 2+1 under the basket, and DiVincenzo responded with a three-pointer, tying the score at 28-28. Then Reid made one of two free throws, Smith missed a three-pointer, the Timberwolves missed their next attack, and Whitmore made both free throws. The two teams then remained closely tied in score, with Randall making a jump shot for 2 points. The Rockets missed their next attack, and DiVincenzo quickly made a layup. Whitmore also made a layup, making it 32-33. Then Randall and Minot hit two consecutive three-pointers.
After a timeout, Smith made a turnaround shot, Randall hit another three-pointer, Tate made a reverse layup for 2 points, DiVincenzo hit another three-pointer from the right side, Shen Jing made a nice 2+0, Edwards made a layup, VanVleet hit another three-pointer from outside, and then the Timberwolves scored 5 consecutive points. Shen Jing also made a nice 2+1, and at halftime, the Rockets trailed the Timberwolves 52-57.
Whitmore broke through for a layup
In the third quarter, the Rockets turned things around with a 32-19 quarter score. At the end of the third quarter, the Rockets led the Timberwolves 84-76. Entering the fourth quarter, the Timberwolves caught up in the score, and at the end of the fourth quarter, the Rockets lost 112-113 to the Timberwolves.
Smith hit a three-pointer
The following are the player ratings for the Rockets:
Jalen Green (Pass)
Jalen Green, shooting 2 for 7 in the first quarter, scored 5 points. As the team's backcourt core, Jalen Green's efficiency on offense today was not high, wasting some opportunities. However, he still showed his talent in front of the Timberwolves' defense. Overall, his performance on the court was passable, scoring 5 points and 2 assists in the half, and scoring 14 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists in the entire game.
Shen Jing (Perfect Score)
Shen Jing, shooting 3 for 6 in the first quarter, scored 8 points and 7 rebounds. As the team's interior core, Shen Jing's overall performance on both ends of the court is evident to all. Whether it's his finishing ability under the basket or his protection of rebounds, Shen Jing's performance is still good, and his overall performance is at the perfect level, scoring 20 points and 9 rebounds in the half, and scoring 38 points and 12 rebounds in the entire game.
VanVleet (Perfect Score)
VanVleet, shooting 2 for 4 in the first quarter and scoring 6 points, as the team's backcourt commander, VanVleet hit a three-pointer early on, showing excellent three-point shooting skills and becoming an important outside scoring point for the team. He also made some wonderful passes to help his teammates score, and his overall performance is at the perfect level, scoring 9 points and 1 assist in the half, and scoring 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists in the entire game.
Smith (Pass)
Smith, shooting 0 for 2 in the first quarter and scoring 0 points and 2 rebounds, as the team's starting power forward, his efficiency on offense today was not high, with poor overall shooting and wasted shooting opportunities. His overall performance was passable, scoring 2 points in 6 shots in the half, and scoring 12 points and 7 rebounds in the entire game.
Amen (Perfect Score)
Amen, shooting 1 for 3 in the first quarter and scoring 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal, continued to start today. He performed very actively on the court, especially with commendable performance on the defensive end. His overall performance was at the perfect level, scoring 10 points in the half, and scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds in the entire game.
Whitmore (Slump)
Whitmore, shooting 0 for 2 in the first quarter and scoring 0 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist, as a substitute for the team, Whitmore's personal offensive efficiency today was not high, with average overall performance, scoring 4 points in 5 shots in the half, and scoring 4 points in the entire game.
Tate (Pass)
Tate scored 2 points in the half, as a substitute for the team, Tate's performance on the court was passable, and scored 6 points and 6 rebounds in the entire game.
Shepherd (Slump)
Shepherd
