There were 7 games played in the evening of December 17, 2016, but none more spectacular (or devastating depending on who you were rooting for) than the overtime match between the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves. The final score of 111-109 in favour of Houston was not indicative of how far off the Rockets were from winning the game. Minnesota outscored Houston by 17 points in the second quarter and held a commanding lead for practically the rest of the game.
Houston found itself down by 12 points with 2:10 left to go in the fourth. However, poor offensive and defensive execution by the Timberwolves and deadeye shooting by the Rockets would see that lead evaporate into thin air. Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson would convert on a combined 4-5 from 3-point range to spark a 14-2 run and force overtime. Minnesota went 0-4 from the field, committed 2 turnovers and only found points from the free throw line in the final 2 minutes.
In the extra period, James Harden would take over, scoring 10 of the rockets 16 points, including 2 clutch free throws which would eventually lead to the final score. Minnesota still had 3.4 seconds to try and win or tie the game but Zach LaVine stepped out of bounds, resulting in a turnover. (Complete stats and play-by-play recap can be found here, on the NBA's official website.)
Minnesota has lost 12 games this season in which they lead by double-digits at a certain point in the game, as per Yahoo! Sports. They are currently in the 13th spot with a 12-26 record while the Rockets are in 3rd with a 31-9 record. They will have to face the surging Rockets again tomorrow, January 11, 2017, with both teams coming off a win.
The Timberwolves look to redeem their late game collapse while the Rockets look to extend their winning streak to 10 games in the rematch. Possibly playing without off-guard Zach LaVine, who suffered a hip contusion (as per Rotoworld), will make the task even harder but the young Timberwolves are sure to put up a fight.
