Rockets win, become Warriors’ most likely first-round opponent
Rockets win, become Warriors’ most likely first-round opponent
Harden scored 34 points and Howard had 19 points and eight rebounds to help put Houston in the driver’s seat in its quest to make the playoffs with a 129-105 victory over host Minnesota on Monday night.
Harden made 12 of 21 shots in three quarters, Trevor Ariza scored 21 points and the Rockets hit 15 of 30 three-point tries.
If the Rockets beat the Kings in Houston on Wednesday in the season finale, or the Jazz (also 40-41) lose to the Lakers in Los Angeles, Houston will be in the playoffs.
“See you in Golden State,” Houston guard Jason Terry said as he left Target Center, referring to a potential 1-8 matchup with the Warriors.
Shabazz Muhammad scored 23 points and Zach LaVine scored 21 for the Timberwolves, who had won three straight games, including stunning wins at Oakland and in Portland.
Karl-Anthony Towns was held to 12 points and five rebounds, Andrew Wiggins had 12 on 3-for-7 shooting and Minnesota was 5-for-21 from three-point range.
On a night when your young guys just don’t have it,” Minnesota head coach Sam Mitchell said, “we’ve just got no place to go.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 22 points, Deron Williams had 23 and visiting Dallas clinched a playoff spot.
Curry, Stephen’s brother, played 39 minutes — the most of his NBA career — while the Kings left three of their top players home for “rest” — DeMarcus Cousins, Darren Collison and Rajon Rondo.
James had 19 in the third quarter as the Cavs locked up home-court advantage until the NBA Finals.
Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol sat after Chicago was eliminated from playoff contention when Indiana won Sunday.