Timberwolves make a spirited rally into overtime, then sink against the Rockets

MINNEAPOLIS — Early in the third quarter Tuesday night, Timberwolves fans at Target Center let the team have it after Donte DiVincenzo committed a turnover near halfcourt that led to an easy dunk from Jalen Green with 7 minutes, 20 seconds left in the quarter.

Boos rained down as Chris Finch called timeout. The jeers had an effect, as the Wolves picked up their effort from there, but they couldn’t close out a 117-111 overtime loss to the Houston Rockets. The Houston Wolves gave up a 102-97 lead at the end of regulation, and the Rockets took control with 11 unanswered points in overtime to clinch their group in the NBA in-season tournament.

The Wolves led by five late in the fourth quarter but didn’t score the final 3 minutes, 12 seconds of regulation. They came up with a few empty possessions that allowed Houston to tie the score. Rudy Gobert blocked Alperen Sengun with 15.2 seconds left before an Anthony Edwards runner at the buzzer of regulation rimmed in and out and Edwards smacked the stanchion in frustration.

Edwards had 29 points to lead the Wolves, who shot just 24% from three-point range.

How it happened

The Wolves opened the game with a lackadaisical effort on the defensive end of the floor as the Rockets raced out to a 20-11 lead in the opening six minutes. But the defensive intensity returned as Finch went into his bench with Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Naz Reid.

Edwards had 10 in the first quarter against Houston’s switch-heavy lineup, and the Wolves clawed their way back to take a 35-32 lead in the second. But the Wolves’ on-ball defense again let up later in the second and allowed Houston to close with a 10-1 run for a 57-47 halftime lead.

The Wolves had seven turnovers in the second quarter. The turnovers kept coming in the third and the boo birds made an appearance after DiVincenzo, starting for injured Mike Conley, committed one near halfcourt that led to a Jalen Green dunk and a 70-58 Houston lead 4:40 into the third. Houston led by as much as 18 in the quarter before the Wolves bench sparked an 11-0 run. Edwards had six points in the run and the Wolves entered the fourth quarter down 84-78.

Rob Dillingham got more minutes off the bench and he helped the offense find a rhythm even while shooting just 4 for 12 himself. He had 12 points and seven assists. Reid had his best offensive game in a while with 19 points as the Wolves feasted against Houston’s bench.

____