Minnesota Timberwolves (48-33) beat Houston Rockets (51-30) 136-132 on the road on Friday, April 10. The Rockets led after three quarters, but the Timberwolves took control in the fourth.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Timberwolves struck first, taking the opening quarter 37-36 and a 1-point lead after one. The Rockets moved in front with a 37-32 second quarter, carrying a 4-point lead into halftime.
The Timberwolves won the third 34-33 to stay in front, taking a 3-point lead into the fourth. The Timberwolves took the fourth 33-26; the Timberwolves completed the comeback for a 136-132 regulation win.
What decided it
The Timberwolves took better care of the ball, turning it over on 7% of possessions compared with 12% for the Rockets. The Timberwolves got more from their shots, finishing at 65.7% effective field-goal shooting compared with 63.2% for the Rockets. In a 4-point game, those extra possessions were crucial.
The Rockets did win one battle, second chances: ORB% of 37.9% against 20%. The Timberwolves made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 100 possessions per team, the Timberwolves produced 135.8 points per 100 possessions to 131.8 for the Rockets.
The Timberwolves' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 40-18.
Who made the difference
Amen Thompson was the game's biggest individual force for HOU: 41 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast on 17-22 shooting. His Game Score of 40.4 led everyone. His team was +1 with him on the floor.
Kyle Anderson led the Timberwolves with 17 pts, 6 reb, 9 ast on 7-12 shooting, good for a 20.7 Game Score.
What it means
By our Win Meter this was an upset: The Timberwolves entered with about a 26% chance.
Across the last 6 meetings in our records, the series is even.
The Timberwolves are now 48-33, and the Rockets are 51-30. The Timberwolves last five before this game: L-L-L-W-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.