Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 takeaways from Game 5 vs. Rockets

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ season was on the line against the Houston Rockets in Game 5, but they ultimately couldn’t cash in. Here are three takeaways from Wednesday’s action.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have had a successful season, no matter how you look at it. Despite some anger or disappointment some may feel when it comes to players and coaching, at the end of the day, Minnesota still made the playoffs.

After not making the playoffs since 2004, it was a breath of fresh air to see the Wolves back in the playoffs. Unfortunately, playing against the Houston Rockets — the best team in the NBA — was not the ideal.

The Wolves finished the season with a 47-35 record and were able to get at least one win out of the series. Minnesota had a hard time matching up with the Rockets all series long because of its inability to shoot the ball from distance.

During the regular season, Minnesota ranked last in terms of 3-pointers attempted and made. Meanwhile, the Rockets were No. 1 in those categories. Heading into Game 5, the Rockets averaged 43.3 attempts per game (first), while the Wolves averaged just 22.5 (15th).

Clint Capela was another big factor in this series and again in Game 5. Capela was 12-for-14 from the floor, finishing with 26 points, 15 rebounds and one block. He single-handedly took out one of Minnesota’s best players in Karl-Anthony Towns.

Throughout the series, Towns struggled to get anything going on offense and he’s a major player in their offense. He averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds a game again this season, but ultimately was a non-factor for the majority of the series.

In Game 5 he had 23 points and 14 rebounds, but his defense was pretty non-existent, which is why Capela was able to get so much offense going. The season is over now, but looking back upon it, it was a successful one. Here are three takeaways from Wednesday’s elimination game.