Houston Roundball Review Archive: February 2007 Rockets Rout Minnesota by 28

Monday, February 5, 2007

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The following quote from Randy Wittman, the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, should give you a good idea of who won tonight's game between the Houston Rockets and the Timberwolves:

(on his team's play): "Our guard play was atrocious. There was no direction at all. I didn't recognize what we were doing offensively. I don't know what to do; but, I have to find the answer. If you have good guard play in the league, you have a shot; but, we are not getting any guard play...This loss is the whole damn team. We didn't have anybody come out with any heart or desire."

Wittman kept going: (on his future team plans): "I'm not going to keep the status quo. I didn't see this coming. We'll see who wants to play, even if its only five guys. I want to see who wants to play every night. I have three or four guys I can count on every night and that is about it."

The Rockets blasted Minnesota 105 to 77.

Houston (30-17) started the game slowly and led Minnesota (22-26) just 21 to 15 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was entirely different.

Houston made 11 of 22 from the field in the period; outrebounded Minnesota 15 to 9; and outscored the Timberwolves 29 to 15 during the period.

Luther Head scored eight points in the period; followed by seven from Tracy McGrady; and six points from Juwan Howard.

Houston led 50 to 30 at the half. Houston's 50 point first half tonight was more than the Rockets had through three quarters of play versus the New Orleans / Oklahoma City Hornets on February 3, 2007.

McGrady scored 16 points (six for 10 from the field) in the third quarter and helped the Rockets extend the lead to as much as 30 points (82 to 52) at the end of the quarter.

Luther Head tied his season high of five 3-pointers (5-7 3FG) en route to 20 points: 5-of-8 vs. the L.A. Clippers (12/23/06) and 5-of-6 vs. Memphis (12/31/06).

Overall, Head has four 20-point games on the season, as the first three came as a starter. Seven of Head's nine career 20-point games have come as a starter. His only other 20-point game off the bench was vs. Toronto (12/21/05).

Jeff Van Gundy: "...much more inspirational..."

Tracy McGrady: "...best player has to step up..."

T-Mac led all scorers with 32 points (12 for 27 from the field, 6 for 8 from the foul line) in just 30 minutes of game action.

Minneosta's Kevin Garnett finished the game with 18 points; 12 rebounds; and five assists.

A few good indicators to describe the lop-sided nature of this game: McGrady and Dikembe Mutombo participated in tossing Rockets merchandise into the crowd during two times-out.

Next, the Rockets' "Red Rowdies" sang "Happy Birthday" to Juwan Howard during the fourth quarter; and, Howard acknowledged the song with a smile and a thumbs up to the Rowdies.

Howard finished with 20 points and eight rebounds, which marked his fifth 20-point game of 2006-07. All five of his 20-point performances have now come since 12/31/06.

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