Houston Rockets: 5 keys to series vs. Timberwolves

If the Houston Rockets want to earn a first round series victory, they will have to not take anything for granted and build off of their already impressive defensive growth.

With both teams’ playoff lives in the balance, the final game of the season between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves was about as exciting as it could get. Despite the Timberwolves emerging as victors in swift action, the truth is that they have little time to celebrate.

While this young team has gone through a lot to earn its spot in the highly competitive Western Conference playoffs, the truth is that going up against the historically good Houston Rockets will prove to be an uphill battle for them.

Even before the arrival of Chris Paul, the Rockets were already a offensive work of art. That trend has continued this season, as they are ranked first offensively in the league. However, what sets them apart this year is that with the emergence of Clint Capela and with Chris Paul’s pesky defense, they are now comfortably ranked seventh defensively (despite Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson’s notorious absenteeism on the defensive end).

This team has executed at an incredibly efficient rate. Only three other teams have won 65 games in NBA history, and only 12 teams have put up a better record in an 82-game season. They are seriously good.

With that being said, any fan who watched James Harden crumble under the pressure last year isn’t ready to call this first round series against the Timberwolves an “easy win” just yet. Here are the five keys to the Houston Rockets winning their first round playoff series.