Houston Rockets Game 81 of 2015-16 Season vs Timberwolves

Houston Rockets Game 81 of 2015-16  saw the squad tipping off versus  the young upstart Minnesota Timberwolves.

Continuing SCS series of all 82 games from last season next up is the Houston Rockets Game 81 of 2015-16 versus the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Houston Rockets added draft picks and signed free agents to improve upon an especially mediocre 41-41 campaign. Big man Dwight Howard left for Atlanta while free agents Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Nene Hilario and Pablo Prigioni joined Houston in free agency.

Therefore Houston hopes their free agent additions and the growth of existing assets will translate into a season similar to 2014-15. While fans wait for  October 26th opening night versus the Lakers hopefully this series will appease your cravings.

To that end, this series showcases the Rockets 82 games noting the pregame analysis, post game grades, and relevant video. Furthermore, SCS will highlight significant changes made by their opponents this summer. So, here it is – – enjoy all 82 posts as SCS takes you back over the 2015-16 season.

Game 81 – Timberwolves

Pregame Analysis:

Heading into the Houston Rockets Game 81 with just 2 opportunities remaining it was clear H-Town would need to win out to make the playoffs.

Talk is cheap, and the Houston Rockets know it’s time to close their mouths and let their actions speak. To wit, the Rockets enter tonight needing a win versus the young Timberwolves who’ve been playing spoiler of late.

If the Houston Rockets didn’t understand or play with desperation last week they appear to understand now, after losing a pivotal game to Dallas last week. The fact they followed that up with a blow-out loss to the Suns speaks to how frustrating this team has been all season. The latter came with the Rockets being booed off their home court. Apparently they got the message as they won yesterday even if it was the lowly Lakers. Now with just two games remaining the Rockets have to win out versus Minnesota and Sacramento. Even that won’t help get them into the post season unless the Jazz lose one of their final two games.

Full pregame analysis available via this link.

Post Game Analysis:

Coty Davis provided the post game report and player grades in what finally ended up being a win over a team the Rockets should defeat.

After defeating the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday afternoon. The Houston Rockets gained another must-win victory, Monday, against the young Minnesota Timberwolves.

It seemed as if the Rockets did not want to give the Timberwolves any hopes of winning this game. Behind James Harden and Dwight Howard, the Rockets got off to a tremendous start and never looked back. With only one game remaining, the Rockets are trying to do everything possible to stay in the playoff hunt.

Full post game and player grades can be viewed via this link.

Stat Leaders

James Harden was on a mission to get the Rockets into the playoffs and led his team scoring 34 points along with 1 rebound and 6 assists.

For the young Wolves Zach LaVine led the way with 21 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block.

ESPN provides full box score which can be viewed via this link.

Rockets Games vs Timberwolves in 2016-17

• December 17th in Minnesota at Target Center
• January 11th in Minnesota at Target Center
• February 25th at home
• April 12th at home

Draft Picks and Free Agents

If there was a perfect draft prospect for a coach Kris Dunn could have been hand picked for Tom Thibodeau. With so much young talent on the roster it’s not surprising more moves weren’t made in free agency.

Draft Picks:

Round 1: Kris Dunn (5)


Round 2: N/A

Incoming Free Agents/trade:

• Cole Aldrich 3-years, $22M exits Clippers
• Brandon Rush to a 1 year $3.5M exits Warriors
• Jordan Hill exits the Pacers to sign a 2-year $8M

Exiting Free Agents/traded: 

• Damjan Rudez has training camp invite with Magic

Waived:

• Greg Smith

Next: Rockets Game 80 of 2015-16

Next up the final game of the season Game 82 versus the Kings