In Minneapolis, Alperen Sengun showcased an impressive performance, scoring 22 points while grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 11 assists. His teammate Fred VanVleet also stood out, contributing 27 points along with 11 assists as the Houston Rockets secured a thrilling 117-111 overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves during an NBA Cup clash on Tuesday night.
Dillon Brooks added another 22 points for Houston, which maintained an unbeaten record of 3-0 in the competition, allowing them to clinch the top spot in West Group A and advance to the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup.
On the opposing side, Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards led the charge with 29 points and 10 rebounds, but the team faced their third consecutive loss. Julius Randle contributed 21 points, while Naz Reid came off the bench to add 19 points to the scoreboard.
Rookie Rob Dillingham, who was selected as the eighth overall pick in the recent draft from Kentucky, delivered his finest performance this season. Filling in for the injured point guard Mike Conley, who missed his third game due to a left great toe sprain, Dillingham recorded 12 points, along with a season-high seven assists and five rebounds.
Key Observations: The Rockets are proving to be a formidable young team, especially on defense. They managed to create 12 steals and nine blocks, capitalizing on Minnesota’s 17 turnovers, turning them into 16 points.
For the Timberwolves, despite the disappointing result, this type of performance was essential to regain momentum after experiencing two straight losses and a narrow victory against Phoenix, who was missing stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
A pivotal moment in the matchup occurred with just 15 seconds remaining in regulation. Sengun received a pass while driving toward the basket for a possible layup; however, Rudy Gobert intervened with a solid block, keeping the score tied. On the subsequent possession, Edwards’ jumper missed the mark, forcing the game into overtime.
A noteworthy statistic was Houston’s proficiency from beyond the arc, as they shot 15 of 37 from three-point territory, including a remarkable 10 of 18 in the first half, which helped them establish a significant lead.
Both teams are set to continue their schedules with back-to-back games. The Rockets will be facing off against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, while the Timberwolves will remain at home to take on the Sacramento Kings.