2018 NBA Playoffs: Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves preview

2. Can Houston’s frontcourt contain KAT and Taj?

The one area the Timberwolves have a clear advantage is size and talent on the frontcourt. The combination of Karl Anthony-Towns and Taj Gibson has been much better defensively than expected, but will be put the test in this series with them likely logging most of their time roaming the perimeter.

The one area they can impose their will is on the offensive glass, attacking Houston’s frontcourt of P.J. Tucker and Clint Capela. The latter should be able to control the glass, but if Gibson is crashing the boards hard, expect Minnesota to steal some possessions that can make the difference in playoff games.

Tucker is a bull of a wing and will welcome the challenge of winning his individual matchup with Gibson, but the Rockets are thin on the frontline. They’ll be without Luc Mbah a Moute for this series, which hurts their depth. This leaves them with a rotation of Capela, Tucker, Joe Johnson, Ryan Anderson and Nene.

The Rockets want to play Anderson as a backup center, but Minnesota dominating the glass may force them to play Nene at the 5, limiting their offensive firepower. If KAT and Gibson’€™s aggressiveness forces the Rockets into foul trouble or steal extra possessions and points, this series could extend longer than people think.