
Tim MacMahon ESPN Staff Writer
Coach Mike D'Antoni says the Rockets haven't played well since clinching the top seed in late March. "It's been a long time, but tomorrow is the perfect opportunity," James Harden says.
Coach Mike D'Antoni says the Rockets haven't played well since clinching the top seed in late March. "It's been a long time, but tomorrow is the perfect opportunity," James Harden says.
After underwhelming starts against Houston, Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns made their presence felt in Game 3.
The Timberwolves brought Minnesota its first playoff basketball win since 2004. KAT on feeding off the fans energy in Target Center: "When you have fan support like that behind you, anything's possible. It's just humbling to see, knowing fans can be that elated, ecstatic, loving toward us, but just to see them buy into us that much, it's amazing."
KAT with high praise for Andrew Wiggins, who is leading the Timberwolves in scoring in the playoffs: "That's who he is. A lot of people doubt him and everything and he don't hear all the chatter and everything. He goes straight to the gym, he works on his craft every day. He's a tremendous worker and he goes in there every day and does his job. Regardless of the situation, he knows when his name is called, he'll hit those shots. We all have that same confidence in him."
Karl Anthony Towns exploded for a series high 18 points after not attempting a single shot in the first quarter. The third-year center noted how remaining patient through this rough patch would lead to a big night: "I think it is a sense of patience for a while. First quarter, I don't think I shot a shot so I'm just letting the game come to me naturally instead of trying to rush and find shots. And then shots find me. Teammates were amazing. Jeff was out there balling, Derrick, Jimmy...Andrew. Everyone was just doing their job and games like that, the ball just seems to find me sometimes."
Derrick Rose on what led to the Timberwolves flurry of 3-pointers (15), which included 10 in the second half: "We've got to adjust. They're giving us these shots so we have to make sure that we hit them. That's the playoffs. You adjust every game. You adjust every two games. It depends on the coach, the style of play and tonight we pushed the ball a little bit (faster)."
Jimmy Butler: "I got tired of my teammates telling me to be more aggressive the past few days. So I was tonight."
Chris Paul on what went wrong for the Rockets tonight. Keyword: Defense
Derrick Rose speaks with Adam Amin and Jon Barry after beating the Rockets in Game 3.
The Timberwolves made as many 3's as the Rockets in Game 3. (15) That is Minnesota's 2nd most made 3's in a single game this season. Also the most ever in a playoff game, in Wolves franchise history.
Adam Amin and Jon Barry share their final thoughts on the Timberwolves impressive game 3 win over the Rockets behind Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose and Karl-Anthony Towns
Jimmy Butler hit four 3-pointers among his 28 points and Karl-Anthony Towns snapped back from a bad start to the series with 18 points and 16 rebounds, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Houston Rockets 121-105 in Game 3 on Saturday night for...
The Timberwolves' 121-105 rout of the Rockets is Minnesota's first playoff victory since Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference finals.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns have both exceeded their point totals from the Timberwolves' two losses in Houston.
Timberwolves defense on James Harden has been really good in the second half. Harden airballs his second 3-pointer of the half, held to 3-8 from behind the arc tonight.
The Timberwolves took a 12-point lead by scoring 35 in the third quarter. It was by far the most productive quarter of the series for Karl-Anthony Towns, who had eight points in the frame, matching his Game 1 total.
TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Portland | 49 | 33 | .598 | - | W1 |
Oklahoma City | 48 | 34 | .585 | 1 | W3 |
Utah | 48 | 34 | .585 | 1 | L1 |
Minnesota | 47 | 35 | .573 | 2 | W3 |
Denver | 46 | 36 | .561 | 3 | L1 |
RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
---|---|---|---|
1(7) | Lauri Markkanen | PF | Arizona |
YEAR | W | L | PCT |
---|---|---|---|
2017-18 | 47 | 35 | .573 |
2016-17 | 31 | 51 | .378 |
2015-16 | 29 | 53 | .354 |
2014-15 | 16 | 66 | .195 |
2013-14 | 40 | 42 | .488 |