2018 NBA Playoffs 1st Round GT: (1) Houston Rockets vs (8) Minnesota Timberwolves

[UK2K]

OKC plays Warriors in the semis if they go through, not Rockets

http://www.nba.com/playoffs#/

[Im Still Ballin]

1/8 plays 4/5

2/7 plays 3/6

[ArbitraryWater]

OKC plays Warriors in the semis if they go through, not Rockets

cmon bra

[Wally450]

Rockets in 4. 5 tops.

[Im Still Ballin]

Sticky!

[CPointGod3]

I think it goes 5 since i think that the Wolves are actually better than the 8th seed.

[SaltyMeatballs]

OKC plays Warriors in the semis if they go through, not Rockets

[Dro]

I think it goes 6, wouldn't be surprised to see it go 7. Playoffs are about matchups. Minnesota is really a 3-4 seed playing from the 8th seed because of injuries to Gibson, Teague, and Butler this year. Butler can guard Harden better than anyone which leaves Paul. Somebody has to guard him and Minn doesn't have anyone to guard him. So if I have to choose, I'm taking away Harden.

You have Capela trying to guard Kat. This can be Kat's statement series. He needs to play like the superstar he's capable of. Then you have Wiggins. Houston doesn't match up well at all with Minny on the defensive end. They'll miss Luc for defense but they have Tucker still to stick on either Jimmy or Wiggins. They'll probably stick him on Butler and take their chances with Wiggins which I agree with.

Also Minny needs to try to beat Houston up front because Houston has no size. Its basically, pick and roll with Harden, everybody else spot up for three's.

In the end, I think Houston as a bit too much firepower. But thats why the playoffs are great. Matchups mean a lot.

[tpols]

the parity in the playoffs this year is pretty insane... both 8 seeds have a serious shot at winning.

[Naero]

I'm expecting a quick series, obviously in favor of the Rockets.

Would love for it to extend; but the Timberwolves just don't have the wherewithal to seriously compete with their playoffs-inexperienced core (outside of Butler), nor do they have the defense (which seems to have been a protracted project under Thibs...) to combat Houston's league-second-best offense.

Will be a great experience for this young team, though.

Bottom-line prediction: Rockets in 5.

[34-24 Footwork]

I've never wanted a team to lose as bad as I do now.

Then again, never thought CP3/Harden will be on the same squad.

Hoping for an upset

[PickernRoller]

Sweep.

[Gotterdammerung]

Expect a bloodletting.

The Rockets will outshoot, outgun, outrun, and throughly out-everything the Timberwolves, easily the worst defensive team in the playoffs. They allow 108.4 points per 100 possessions.

As long Houston keeps Jimmy Buckets preoccupied with strong defenders in Ariza, wear him down so he doesn't bully MVP Harden on defense.

The Wolves will not sniff a single win.
Houston in 4.

[Doranku]

Wolves in 6

[k0kakw0rld]

Minnesota have better talents the difference is, Thibodeau is an overrated coach. Rockets should win and it will go the distance. Rockets are known chokers.