Alex Slitz. Getty Images.
With 4:57 left to go in the 4th quarter, Alperen Sengun made an 8ft driving floater to put the Rockets up 106-90. They looked well on their way to the impressive home win and 5th straight overall. As the current 2 seed in the West, this was shaping up to be one of those validating type wins that tells you you’re on the right path. All you had to do was close out that final 4:57.
Sometimes, that’s easier said than done.
From that moment on, the Wolves stormed back outscoring the Rockets 23-6. As all comebacks do, it started on the defensive end, forcing the Rockets into low percentage looks. What was a monster night from Sengun (38/12) was undone by two critical missed FTs, one coming at the 1:09 mark and the other at the 41 second mark. When you do shit like that and leave valuable points at the line, you’re helping infuse the other team with life. Anyone who has watched 5 seconds of basketball in their life knew what was coming next. The collapse was in full effect and one that FT missed with 41 seconds left, what happened next was undeniable
What a tough ass shot. On the road, down 2, everyone on MIN pretty much getting to the rim at will down the stretch and instead, Ant says fuck it and pulls out the stepback game winner. Big time shot in a big time moment from a big time player
Did Ant need to go for 3 there? No. He didn’t have to. There are plenty of ways to approach that possession given the time and score, and Ant did a great job of explaining his mindset of why he went the way he did after the game
I love going for the win in that spot on the road. You never know what can happen in OT, why not let your best player ultimately decide what happens? If he makes it he’s the hero, if he misses it there’s still time to foul. It may not always work out like it did tonight but when it does, it sure is electric as hell. In fact, that entire final 5 minutes was electric if we’re being honest. Big shots by NAW and Naz Reid. A big AND1 from Ant to go along with the game winner. The Rockets were literally unable to stop puking on themselves when all they really needed was one more bucket and some made FTs. That stings, no doubt.
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For the Wolves, they desperately needed this win. Now 16-14 and currently in 8th, they sit just 1 game back of 5th, and two teams ahead of them (DEN/PHX) are currently getting killed. With how competitive the West is this year top to bottom, being able to steal a win like this on the road could end up being the difference in seeding come the Spring.
