Game Report - Wolves v Rockets

[Lipoli390]

It was depressing to watch through the first three quarters. But the Wolves came to life in the 4th with a spirited, highly entertaining comeback that fell 9 points short.

Some of the worst, most biased officiating I've ever seen. It was disgusting. This game would have been closer with balanced officiating and the Wolves might have actually won. But then again, hard to win with the pathetic defense the Wolves played the entire first half.


The first half the Wolves displayed some of the worst defense I've ever seen. It was shameful and inexcusable. There's no sense in pointing to any particular player since they were all pathetic. At the same time, Houston's defense was stifling the Wolves. Our slow pace and poor spacing made it sort of easy for the Rockets to defend, but that's nothing new.

I do admire the fight the Wolves showed in the 4th. Rose, Gorgui and Teague were particularly good, but so were Crawford and KAT in that quarter. The two main catalysts in the 4th were Gorgui and Rose. Gorgui had his best game of the season in my view even though he didn't have great stats. But Rose was the story of the 4th quarter. He showed flashes reminiscent of his days as MVP for the Bulls. Until the 4th quarter he was the only Wolves player playing with the sort of energy and urgency we should expect from a team in the Wolves position right now. It wasn't just his offense. What you might not have seen on TV was how hard Rose fought through picks and how effectively he did it. I was so impressed by him tonight.

Believe it or not, I'm going to take this game mainly as a positive based on the fight we saw from our guys in the 4th quarter. Based on the positive vibe I got from tonight, we should win at least 7 of our remaining games, which would give us 47 wins at the end of the season. With the Thunder and Pelicans winning tonight, it seems unlikely this team will finish in the top 5. But finishing with 47 wins will likely get us a 6th or 7th seed.

[thedoper]

The 2nd half was fun to watch, I'm glad your going positive with it. We need something to turn around soon if it's going to come together for the first round. Some positive effort from the 2nd unit is key to that.

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

Since the All star break, we seemed to be really hurt by the officiating. It isnt just losing the 50/50 calls, but they seem to be flat out ignoring a lot while giving a soft foul call at the other end. KAT, wiggs and teague, in particular, are getting grabbed and dislodged when they get into the paint.

[Monster]

It was depressing to watch through the first three quarters. But the Wolves came to life in the 4th with a spirited, highly entertaining comeback that fell 9 points short.

Some of the worst, most biased officiating I've ever seen. It was disgusting. This game would have been closer with balanced officiating and the Wolves might have actually won. But then again, hard to win with the pathetic defense the Wolves played the entire first half.


The first half the Wolves displayed some of the worst defense I've ever seen. It was shameful and inexcusable. There's no sense in pointing to any particular player since they were all pathetic. At the same time, Houston's defense was stifling the Wolves. Our slow pace and poor spacing made it sort of easy for the Rockets to defend, but that's nothing new.

I do admire the fight the Wolves showed in the 4th. Rose, Gorgui and Teague were particularly good, but so were Crawford and KAT in that quarter. The two main catalysts in the 4th were Gorgui and Rose. Gorgui had his best game of the season in my view even though he didn't have great stats. But Rose was the story of the 4th quarter. He showed flashes reminiscent of his days as MVP for the Bulls. Until the 4th quarter he was the only Wolves player playing with the sort of energy and urgency we should expect from a team in the Wolves position right now. It wasn't just his offense. What you might not have seen on TV was how hard Rose fought through picks and how effectively he did it. I was so impressed by him tonight.

Believe it or not, I'm going to take this game mainly as a positive based on the fight we saw from our guys in the 4th quarter. Based on the positive vibe I got from tonight, we should win at least 7 of our remaining games, which would give us 47 wins at the end of the season. With the Thunder and Pelicans winning tonight, it seems unlikely this team will finish in the top 5. But finishing with 47 wins will likely get us a 6th or 7th seed.

Thanks for the report Lip. I'm glad you noticed Rose on D. I pretty much watched him on that end when he was in (we know what other guys can do or can't) and it didn't matter who he was on he was really impressive. That CP3 impossible shot at the end of the quarter was against Rose but it was terrific defense. I have seen all the games but Rose has looked plenty good on that end which is basically completely in expected. Will it last? Probably not but it's encouraging both because if he can actually defend it obviously makes him more valuable but it also shows he might not be cooked physically IF he can avoid more injury. I'm not holding my breath but there have been some positives and this game showed there could be something there. He really seems to be a smart cutter.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Started watching when the Wolves were down 56 - 80... so I saw mostly the good stuff. A few notes:

- Officiating. It's not just the Wolves. The last two coaches who lost to the Rockets (Doc Rivers and Alvin Gentry) both got fined after complaining about the (un)favorable officiating.

- Chris Paul seems absolutely insufferable on a basketball court. He's constantly leaning and mugging other people... then when KAT moves the little guy aside on a pick, Paul demonstratively freaks out and you can hear him on the broadcast screaming "Get the F off of me!" Those types of obvious hypocrisies is a big reason why I root against the Rockets. Seeing a guy like Harden argue foul calls is just so disingenuous and off-putting.

- Moving picks are now allowed. Apparently. This was the topic du jour on the broadcast and I found it welcome considering I was wondering the same thing after Capela just kept moving to keep Teague off Paul who was hiding behind him lining up a three pointer.

- Bottom line: The Rockets are MUCH MUCH better than the Wolves. 9 points. 25 points. It doesn't matter. I never once thought the Wolves stood a chance. The Rockets toyed with them. So even if the Wolves make the playoffs... hope they finish at least 6th because there is NO CHANCE they can compete with Houston.

[kekgeek]

I got a legit question. Why on the goaltending that was overturned why was it not ruled a jump ball. They called an accidental whistle, meaning the play should be considered dead right there. Meaning no possession was granted. Meaning it should be a jump ball. Im more curious than complaining. I asked my old man who is a high school ref and he said it should of been a jump ball but also said it could be different in the NBA and in high school he doesn't get any replay.

Hopefully the dust up with Gorgui gets him going this year. That would be huge. He has been by far our most disappointing player this year. He showed fire and stopped complaining to the officials he had a very good second half stint.

[Lipoli390]

Started watching when the Wolves were down 56 - 80... so I saw mostly the good stuff. A few notes:

- Officiating. It's not just the Wolves. The last two coaches who lost to the Rockets (Doc Rivers and Alvin Gentry) both got fined after complaining about the (un)favorable officiating.

- Chris Paul seems absolutely insufferable on a basketball court. He's constantly leaning and mugging other people... then when KAT moves the little guy aside on a pick, Paul demonstratively freaks out and you can hear him on the broadcast screaming "Get the F off of me!" Those types of obvious hypocrisies is a big reason why I root against the Rockets. Seeing a guy like Harden argue foul calls is just so disingenuous and off-putting.

- Moving picks are now allowed. Apparently. This was the topic du jour on the broadcast and I found it welcome considering I was wondering the same thing after Capela just kept moving to keep Teague off Paul who was hiding behind him lining up a three pointer.

- Bottom line: The Rockets are MUCH MUCH better than the Wolves. 9 points. 25 points. It doesn't matter. I never once thought the Wolves stood a chance. The Rockets toyed with them. So even if the Wolves make the playoffs... hope they finish at least 6th because there is NO CHANCE they can compete with Houston.

All great point, Abe. I agree.

Capela's moving screens last night were ridiculous and happened right in the plain view of officials. Those would have been called against us and against most teams in the NBA based on what I've seen this season. The official wearing #12 should be investigated. He was the one who kept calling phantom fouls on the Wolves and ignoring obvious fouls the other way.

And yes, as I've been saying, we might as well finish in the lottery if the best we can do is a 7th or 8th seed. However, a 7th seed would be interesting because it would mean playing gathering Warriors, not the Rockets. And who knows what the Warriors' injury situation will be at that time. but I'm still in the the camp that says give me at least 6th or give me the lottery!

[Coolbreeze44]

I said in the game thread the Rockets not only move on their screens, but they are allowed to give an extra little shove. It's all Paul or Harden need to create an advantage, and that coupled with our slow rotations means they become unstoppable. They have mastered the fine line between what is and isn't a foul. It really reminds me of how KG used to screen.

[Monster]

I said in the game thread the Rockets not only move on their screens, but they are allowed to give an extra little shove. It's all Paul or Harden need to create an advantage, and that coupled with our slow rotations means they become unstoppable. They have mastered the fine line between what is and isn't a foul. It really reminds me of how KG used to screen.

Capela looked more like a offensive lineman blocking on a few of those plays than a screener. I'll give him credit he did just enough not to get calls. Other players trying to do that would move way too much or give the guard a shove and be more likely to get called for it.

[Coolbreeze44]

But regardless of what the officials let them get away with, we are simply not in the same league as the Rockets and Warriors. James Harden is just a monster. He plays with the knowledge that he can beat you with whatever you give him. Stop the drive, no problem. Guard against the 3, who cares. As someone said they toyed with us. As soon as it became serious all they needed to do was start caring again.

I was amazed at Ryan Anderson's shooting last night. This is a guy who could have been had for basically nothing in the offseason except taking on his contract. How much better would we be if we had him over Crawford? His shots seem to be magnetically attracted to the middle of the hoop. He's fun to watch.