Minnesota Timberwolves (45-28) beat Houston Rockets (43-29) 110-108 at home on Wednesday, March 25 in overtime.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Timberwolves struck first, taking the opening quarter 23-19 and a 4-point lead after one. The Rockets cut into the deficit with a 24-21 second quarter, though the Timberwolves still led by 1 at halftime.
The Timberwolves won the third 26-25 to create some separation, taking a 2-point lead into the fourth. The Rockets answered with a 27-25 fourth quarter, forcing overtime at 95.
The Timberwolves finally separated the teams in overtime, winning it 15-13 to close out a 110-108 victory.
What decided it
The Timberwolves took better care of the ball, turning it over on 13.5% of possessions compared with 18.7% for the Rockets. The Timberwolves got more from their shots, finishing at 47.7% effective field-goal shooting compared with 45.7% for the Rockets. In a 2-point game, those extra possessions were crucial.
The Rockets did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 24.7 against 6.5. The Timberwolves made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 109 possessions per team, the Timberwolves produced 100.7 points per 100 possessions to 98.9 for the Rockets.
The Timberwolves' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 27-11.
Who stepped up
Alperen Sengun was the game's biggest individual force for HOU: 30 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, 4 blk on 12-22 shooting. His Game Score of 23.5 led everyone. His team was -2 with him on the floor.
Jaden McDaniels led the Timberwolves with 25 pts, 2 reb, 0 ast on 10-17 shooting, good for a 18.5 Game Score.
Rudy Gobert (14 pts, 14 reb, 1 ast), Naz Reid (14 pts, 13 reb, 1 ast), and Jabari Smith Jr. (16 pts, 12 reb, 1 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 65% for the Timberwolves.
Across the last 5 meetings in our records, Houston Rockets lead 3-2.
The Timberwolves are now 45-28, and the Rockets are 43-29. The Timberwolves last five before this game: L-W-W-L-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.