Beating Up on the Underdogs

The Houston Rockets kicked the Minnesota Timberwolves' proverbial butts tonight. It was never even close. Who would have thought? Minnesota was only 24 games behind the Rockets in the conference standings going into the game. Even with Yao Ming getting off to an uncharacteristic 1-9 start, the rest of the team picked up the offensive slack, turned up the defensive pressure and took the Wolves to school. That's three cliches in one sentence. I'm an overachiever.

Ron Artest was strong on offense with 20 points. Both point guards played with confidence, committing zero turnovers, but only had 3 assists between them. The entire team played lock-down defense in the first half, allowing the T-Wolves only 37 points.

Highly touted Minnesota rookie Kevin Love continued to collect double-doubles with 18 points and 12 rebounds and second-year sub Craig Smith hit for 19, but the rest of the Wolves seemed impotent against the vastly superior Rockets.

James White, the Rockets' D-League pickup, finally got a chance to get on the court for the final 3:42 of the fourth quarter and proceeded to hit two quick shots for 5 points, but committed three turnovers and two fouls in the same stretch. I get the feeling that he will be an offensive force, but every possession will be an adventure.