Minnesota Remains Undefeated In 2023 By Beating Houston (104-96)

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game on a three-game winning streak feeling great. It’s a new year but also a new look Timberwolves as Anthony Edwards has become one of the primary ball handlers. The Houston Rockets on the other hand are young but still searching for their identity nightly.

The Timberwolves were challenged in this game as Kevin Porter Jr was able to get loose tonight. When Porter Jr is in attack mode it seems as though everything goes well for the Rockets. Porter Jr was taking advantage of the mismatch when the bigs were switched on him and made them pay. The Rockets were able to get out in transition in this one and had their defense determine their offense. Kevin Porter Jr was the bright spot for them with 25 points as Minnesota made it tough on Jalen Green tonight with his 9 points.

In the last couple of games, D’Angelo Russell has been loading in that points column, and tonight was no different. When the Timberwolves need that player that can get in ISO and get a bucket Russell has shown up big time. Throughout the season and tonight Russell continued his hot scoring as he was able to drop a game-high 22 points with 6 assists, and 3 rebounds. Russell has been consistent all season for the Timberwolves and he was able to give the Rockets that work tonight. Inside and outside it didn’t matter in that second half as Russell put the team on his back helping Anthony Edwards. Speaking of Edwards he was a game-time decision in this one but looked like regular “Ant-Man” tonight. Edwards finished the game with 21 points, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds as Minnesota was able to dominate that second half. When the Timberwolves play a complete game like this when everyone is eating their a hard team to beat. Rudy Gobert has been a double-double machine as of late and showed dominance in the paint tonight with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

The Timberwolves will be heading to Detroit to try and make it 5 straight wins in the calendar year of 2023.

Photo Credit:  (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)