Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Timberwolves

2. The Rockets defense imposes its will against KAT

After putting together a stellar defensive performance without the services of Luc Mbah a Moute in their series opener, the Rockets managed to showcase that it was no fluke in Game 2, as Houston managed to cause havoc against Minnesota’s primary offensive weapon yet once again.

For the second consecutive time in the last four nights, the Rockets sought to cross switch on post-ups involving Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns, using several players ranging from James Harden to P.J. Tucker in the effort to provide the All-Star center with different looks.

That action proved to pay major dividends, as Houston held Towns to just five points on 2-of-9 shooting in 24 minutes of work, marking back-to-back games in which the Rockets have held him to single digits across the points and field goal attempts column.

Although the Timberwolves sought to adjust to the Rockets’ heavy amount of switching by seeking to feature Towns more within their offensive game plan, the defensive assignments that appeared to be obvious mismatches on paper did not prove to be any such thing for the 22-year-old.

Throughout the game, Harden and Tucker did a solid job throughout the game holding their ground when up against Towns, along with center Clint Capela. He has worked nonstop to make life harder for the former Kentucky star inside, using physical tactics to contain him throughout the first two games of the series.

While it will be interesting to see what adjustments Thibodeau and Minnesota will seek to make for Game 3, this has to be a positive sign for the Rockets, as taking Towns out of his rhythm has played a significant role in the current outcome of this best-of-seven series so far.