Third Try Tops Timberwolves

Aaron Brooks got game, and the Houston Rockets finally showed some of their game last night. The Rockets coasted to a seventeen point first quarter lead before allowing the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves back in the game. Houston built a 30-13 advantage at home behind 12 assists and 14 baskets in the first quarter. The Rockets employed a pressing offense to surge to a 19 point lead only to see it erased by the second quarter buzzer. Minnesota, propelled by Al Jefferson’s career high 26 points and 26 rebounds cut the halftime deficit to nine. The Wolves went on an 11-3 run to open the third quarter and were helped by the Rockets missing nine of their first ten shots. Houston hammered in their next five shots but Minnesota still hung around to end the third quarter. The Timberwolves rallied from ten down in the fourth to close within a point of tying the game. Brooks’ three-pointer gave the Rockets extra padding before Damien Wilkins sunk a trey for the Wolves. Jefferson flipped in a short jumper as the visitors forged a 78-77 lead late in the final quarter. But Chuck Hayes, who snagged 17 rebounds in the win, scored and Brooks nailed another three to put Houston on top again. When the Rockets finally left the floor, Hayes landed a career-high four steals to go along with his rebounds. Brooks’ reverse layup with 46 seconds left seemingly put the game away for the Rockets. Carl Landry and Brooks missed free throws in the final 10 seconds, allowing the Timberwolves an opportunity to tie the score. Then, guard Corey Brewer intercepted an inbound pass from teammate Kevin Love and heaved a mid-court shot at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. Brewer finished with 14 for Minnesota and Wayne Ellington added 17.
Minnesota continually prolonged this basketball game. They also repeated their inability to hold leads throughout the overtime minutes. Ellington hit a 3-pointer in the first extra session to put the Wolves ahead 98-96. Brooks answered for Houston by going two-for-two from the line with 1:25 left. Neither team was successful on winning shot attempts to close it out, and the game headed to a second overtime. Jefferson’s hook shot and pair from the charity stripe meant an early Minnesota lead in the second extra session. Houston’s Trevor Ariza blanked Minnesota with a jumper and 3-pointer. Ariza finished with 19 points. After an Ellington turnover with 16 seconds remaining, Brooks increased the Hoston lead to three points on two free throws. Ellington recovered from the miscue to again tie the game at 105 with eight seconds to put the game into a third overtime. Add to the Rockets’ lament the fact that Landry missed two free throws in the third overtime. Brooks clocked 59 minutes and 25 seconds to match Cuttino Mobley for most ever in franchise history. He swished a three pointer in the third overtime, and Landry gave the Rockets a 110-107 advantage before Jefferson came through again. Jefferson was limited to six points through the first three quarters, but finished with enough to frustrate the Rockets. Minnesota’s leading scorer Wednesday night, Ryan Gomes, was called for an offensive foul in overtime number three. Shane Battier sank one from deep with just under two minutes left to provide the Rockets a six point cushion. Battier finished with a season high 12 rebounds and five blocked shots in the epic affair. Houston escaped with their eighth straight home victory by holding on 120-114. Every time it seemed as if the Rockets were in control of the game, the Twolves had a snazzy counterpunch. Finally, after three hours and three overtimes, Houston walked to the exit signs winners.

Parting Points: Pete Sampras is sticking up for himself. Tennis rival, Andre Agassi, knocked Pete for being dull and lacking inspiration in his recent biography. Well, good for Sampras for requesting a sit-down and showing disappointment.

My early football divisional round picks: All C’s (Cowboys, Cardinals, Chargers, Colts)

Song of the day- Howie Day’s “You and I Collide”