Amen Thompson Leads Rockets to Victory in Minnesota

Last year, the Minnesota Timberwolves were the top defenders in the NBA, but on Tuesday night, Amen Thompson and the Houston Rockets turned up their defense to win against them in overtime, 117-111.

Thompson’s Heroic Performance:

Amen Thompson was on fire during this game. He played for a season-high of 38 minutes, blocked three shots, and snagged four steals. One of those steals happened with just 42 seconds left when he took the ball from Wolves rookie Rob Dillingham. This move led to a game-tying shot that pushed the match into overtime. Once there, he nailed a three-pointer that sparked an 11-0 run for the Rockets.

Defensive Skills on Display:

Thompson’s defensive skills were crucial in sending the game to overtime. Right before his big steal, he drew a charge against Julius Randle. It shows how versatile he is defensively; one moment he’s stopping a quick guard and then taking on a powerful forward. During most of the fourth quarter, Thompson replaced Jalen Green because Green only scored two points after halftime.

Green’s Struggles:

Jalen Green also sat out during Sunday’s loss to Portland Trail Blazers‘ fourth quarter. While Thompson shines defensively, Green focuses more on offense but has been struggling with his shooting lately—only hitting 38.1% from the floor and 30.3% from beyond the arc.

Fans often wonder if it’s time for some changes in strategy when players struggle like this.

Future Lineup Considerations:

The Rockets still need Green’s ability to create shots; however, if he continues missing them, many talented players are ready to step up from the bench. Even though Thompson wasn’t great at shooting last year as a rookie (13.8% from three), he’s improved significantly this season (31.6%). While Green will stay in starting lineups for now, it seems likely Thompson could be part of closing lineups soon given his clutch performances!

James Shotwell
James Shotwell
James, a dedicated writer for BasketballHour, holds a degree in English and Creative Writing. A genuine sports enthusiast and skilled betting advice provider, he writes engaging articles and valuable winning strategies for sports.

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