Houston Rockets vs. T-Wolves: The most important player match up

The Houston Rockets will start their journey for the Larry O’Brien trophy Sunday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. The T-Wolves are a formidable opponent and here’s the match up I think you should keep your eye on the most. Let’s take a look and examine please.

Houston Rockets fans — can you believe we’re already at that junction of transitioning from the regular season on to the playoffs? It’s like another season within itself and this team is as primed as ever to make a serious run for an NBA Championship, their first since the franchise won it back-to-back in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons.

With the uncertainty of the Golden State Warriors health going into the postseason as well as the Rockets utter dominance throughout the conference with their sterling 41-11 record. There’s not a team out there that concerns me in regard to being able to beat them because of their tremendous depth that they have.

This Houston Rockets second team is another talented unit that would be competitive enough in their own right and that’s what makes this team so terrific, having talent at every position possible. Even with Luc Mbah a Moute‘s shoulder injury and with him expected to miss the next few weeks, this team will be fine in competition with their respective opponent.

We’ll be seeing the likes of Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Jeff Teague go up against James Harden, Chris Paul, Trevor Ariza and P.J. Tucker but what’s the most important match up that you all should keep your eyes peeled on?

It’s definitely the one between Clint Capela and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Why is this match up so intriguing?

The aforementioned guys are one of the most budding, young centers who are just beginning to ascend to the peak of their careers. There’s a whole lot of basketball for these guys to play as they are aged 23 and 22 respectively.

With the Warriors new mindset of small ball, the NBA has transmogrified to a foundation of where the big man is not necessarily the most importance piece to the roster. It’s simply the only way that one can beat that team and you better believe Daryl Morey — he so much has said so — was awake nights trying to figure out how to build a team that could successfully take them down.

Dominant, high-paced scoring anchored by the guards of the most successful teams is what’s getting it done in today’s NBA. I’m not saying the traditional big man is a relic but it’s not something that’s necessarily needed to have a successful team in the Association.

These two have matched up seamlessly together and let’s take a look in specific on how they did through their four match ups this season, all wins by the Houston Rockets:

Clint Capela

1/18/2018 vs. MIN: 20 points, five rebounds, one block, 77.8 percent FG, 6-for-6 FT, +/- was a -3

2/13/2018 at MIN: 14 points, 12 rebounds, one block, 71.4 percent FG, 4-for-6 FT, +/- was a -3

2/23/2018 vs. MIN: 25 points, 11 rebounds, one block, 90.9 percent FG, 5-for-6 FT, +/- was a +4

3/18/2018 at MIN: 16 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks, 72.7 percent FG, +/- was a -3

Karl-Anthony Towns

1/18/2018 at HOU: 22 points, 16 rebounds, five blocks, 52.6 percent FG, +/- was a +2

2/13/2018 vs. HOU: 35 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks, 75 percent FG, 9-for-9 FT, +/- was a -4

2/23/2018 at HOU: 18 points, 13 rebounds, one block, 40 percent FG, 5-for-5 FT, +/- was a -6

3/18/2018 vs. HOU: 20 points, 18 rebounds, one block, 60 percent FG, +/- was a +2

As you can see, these guys are stat machines and will be heavily relied upon to provide that

More from House of Houston

interior inside/out presence for their respective teams. The three-ball will reign supreme for the Rockets as the T-Wolves defense as a whole won’t be quick enough to adjust to the torrid pace of which these Rockets shoot their three-pointers.

Coincidentally, both players averaged 7.5 points more per game when they had the opportunity to showcase their talents on their home court. Although Towns is relied upon more as a scoring option, their effectiveness at home is just as sound.

The actual points-per-game comparison is moot because Capela is not asked to be a major scoring option in this offense and that he only needs to nail open shots and, of course, accurately throw down the plethora of lobs that are thrown to him.

This match up will be as physical as it gets and aside from watching our dynamic back court do work, this pairing is one that you should definitely keep your eyes peeled for.

I can’t wait for tomorrow night!

Next: Rockets: Three things to watch this postseason

The Rockets will take on the T-Wolves Sunday, April 15 at Toyota Center and tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. CDT.

Go Rockets.

Home/Houston Rockets