The Rockets had beaten the Timberwolves 13 straight times before they met last night in Houston. but it was Minnesota who looked like the the more confident team last night, making over 50 percent of their shots en route to a 112-108 win. According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets are blaming themselves for this one.
“They were a step ahead of us the whole night,” guard Kevin Martin said. “Bottom line, they looked like they wanted it more. Games like tonight, after getting in late the night before, we have to be just a little bit more professional and come out and play with an edge.”
Shane Battier echoes the sentiment.
“They’re playing loose, playing free,” Shane Battier said. “When you play like that, you make everything, especially when they see we’re not going to give them any major resistance. They got it going. They played confidently.”
It doesn't matter who you're playing, you can't afford to let them play harder than you. The Rockets are certainly the more talented team on paper but that goes out the window when you get outworked. The Timberwolves played like a team that wanted to win, but more importantly, they hit open shots. Couple that with how flat the Rockets played last night, and it was a recipe for disaster.