Houston Rockets drop Summer League competition to Rob Dillingham and Minnesota Timberwolves

With the Houston Rockets losing their third Summer League game in Las Vegas, it’s unlikely they’ll make the playoffs, as most of the teams that do make it are undefeated. The Rockets will be hoping for a solid Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with a Game 5 guaranteed this weekend.

Houston lost 2-2 in Las Vegas, with one final game scheduled for this weekend, falling 93-83 to the Timberwolves. They are all but eliminated from the playoff race, but improvement of young players is essential for the Rockets.

The Rockets got off to a slow start in the first quarter, scoring just 16 points compared to the Timberwolves’ 29 points in the first quarter, fueled by a strong start from Leonard Miller.

The Rockets’ offense picked up steam in the second quarter, with Reed Sheppard hitting three straight shots to end the half. They still trailed 46-39, though they were starting to erase a disastrous start.

Entering the third quarter trailing by seven points, Houston would have a decisive set. They won the quarter once again, reducing their deficit to just four points. In their last loss, they struggled mightily in the final set, from which they now had a chance to recover.

The Rockets, however, failed to close the gap in the fourth quarter, failing to gain the ground needed to tie the game or make a late breakthrough. Sheppard, however, turned things around after a slow start. Although he failed to convert a three-pointer, he scored 20 points on 9-of-17 shooting. He outplayed his former Kentucky teammate Rob Dillingham, who scored 15 points on 6-of-21 shooting for the Timberwolves.

AJ Griffin added 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, converting two of his five three-point attempts. As a team, Houston shot 6-of-23 from three-point range, a recipe for defeat as their offense couldn’t fully get going because of it.

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