What a match, won by the Rockets at the end of overtime thanks to a collective 11-0 at the best moment of overtime. Rudy Gobert was however very clutch at the end of the fourth quarter, offering Wolves the extension of a decisive counter on Alperen Sengun. Which did not prevent the Houston player from finishing with a triple-double (22 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists).
This defeat hurts, especially at home. It is also, paradoxically, a means of reassuring oneself. After two defeats including a really bad one in Toronto. Facing the Rockets, the Wolves did not give up anything in spirit. Trailing by 10 points at halftime because of a great 3-pointer from Houston, by 18 points in the middle of the 3rd quarter, Minnesota resisted and completely returned to the match at the dawn of money time.
The Naz Reid – Anthony Edwards duo is really heating up on the run of the comeback, accompanied by Rob Dillingham having his best game since his arrival in the NBA (12 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds at 5/13 shooting). The Wolves take the lead at the start of the 4th quarter on a basket with the foul of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and after a big exchange of shots, are even 5 points ahead with 2 minutes remaining on the clock.
Too little to scare Houston, who reacted with mastery via Fred VanVleet (27 points, 11 assists this evening) then Amen Thompson. Worse, Alperen Sengun holds the match ball in his hands on a layup attempt, but Rudy Gobert watches. The four-time Defender of the Year comes to glue his opponent to the board, a magnificent way of making up for his offensive mistake which costs a decisive possession just before. Anthony Edwards misses the winning shot, heading into overtime.
CLUTCH DENIAL FROM RUDY ❌ pic.twitter.com/HiYXpRrdLq
— NBA (@NBA) November 27, 2024
An unfortunately one-way extension. After scoring the first three points of the period, the Wolves collapsed and suffered a destructive 11-0, impossible to recover. Defeat against the Rockets, but a defeat which will perhaps be beneficial in what we remember from the desire of Minny, led largely but having given himself the means to come back.
ROCKETS CLINCH WEST GROUP A 🚀🏆
Watch their 11-0 run in OT that sent them through to the Knockout Rounds of the #EmiratesNBACup! pic.twitter.com/YMq2PzgB3u
— NBA (@NBA) November 27, 2024
The only downside is that the defeat makes the balance sheet negative. This will have to be remedied as quickly as possible, against the Kings, who are also stuck in a bad dynamic. Starting tomorrow evening, at 2 a.m.
**Considering the high stakes of the Emirates NBA Cup, how might this performance influence the Rockets’ confidence and strategy moving forward?**
## World Today News Interview: A Rollercoaster Win for the Rockets
**Hosts:** Welcome back to World Today News. Today, we dive into the thrilling overtime victory of the Houston Rockets over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Joining us today are **[Guest 1 Name]**, a basketball analyst specializing in Western Conference Teams, and **[Guest 2 Name]**, a former NBA player who knows a thing or two about clutch moments.
**Section 1: Resurgence and Resilience**
* **Host:** The Timberwolves were down by as many as 18 points but managed to claw their way back into the game. Can you both speak to the resilience and fight we saw from Minnesota, particularly from the duo of Naz Reid and Anthony Edwards?
* **Host:** [Guest 1 Name], how do you assess the Timberwolves’ mental fortitude in facing such a deficit and nearly pulling off an upset?
* **Host:** [Guest 2 Name], having been in similar situations, what goes through a player’s mind when facing a double-digit deficit and how do you maintain momentum in a comeback attempt?
**Section 2: Clutch Performance and Turning Points**
* **Host:** Rudy Gobert came up big with a crucial block on Alperen Sengun at the end of regulation. [Guest 2 Name], from a player’s perspective, how important is a defensive stop like that in a high-pressure scenario?
* **Host:** The Rockets, however, dominated overtime with an 11-0 run. [Guest 1 Name], what factors contributed to this decisive run? Was it simply superior execution, or did Minnesota falter?
* **Host:** Fred VanVleet was instrumental in both scoring and directing the Rockets’ offence. Can you discuss his impact on the game and his leadership role within the team?
**Section 3: Looking Ahead**
* **Host:** The Timberwolves are now below .500 and facing a tough matchup against the Sacramento Kings. [Guest 1 Name], what are the key areas Minnesota needs to address to reverse their fortunes?
* **Host:** The Rockets have secured a spot in the knockout rounds of the Emirates NBA Cup. [Guest 2 Name], do you think they have the potential to go deep in the tournament with their current form?
* **Host:** This was a dramatic game with plenty of storylines. What was your most memorable takeaway from this matchup?
**Host:** We’d like to thank [Guest 1 Name] and [Guest 2 Name] for sharing their insights with us. For more basketball analysis and updates, stay tuned to World Today News.
