Game 2: Minnesota Timberwolves 82-102 Houston Rockets - 5 Talking Points

So the Minnesota Timberwolves fooled all of us with the close Game 1, convincing us that they could make this series more than just a 1-8 matchup. Unfortunately, Game 2 didn't turn out like the previous contest on Sunday and the Houston Rockets cruised to a 20-point victory, dismissing any doubts that this was even going to be close.

As has been discussed multiple times, the Rockets won all the four regular-season matchups with the Timberwolves by an average margin of 15.8 points and that's what this game looked like.

Minnesota played worse than they did in Game 1 and although James Harden struggled, the Rockets played far better and grinded hard for the win. The series now shifts to Minnesota for Games 3 & 4 at the Target Center but given the difference in the squads, I seriously doubt a scenery change is going to really affect the Rockets.

But before we get to Game 3, let's take a look at the five biggest takeaways from Game 2:

#5 Harden's shooting struggles

Harden shooting over Timberwolves' Tyus Jones.

Harden carried the Rockets to a victory in Game 1 when almost everybody was having a sub-par game and the Timberwolves had come to play.

He put up 44 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals on 15-of-26 shooting. His performance was crucial, otherwise, the best team in the league would be going into Game 2, down 0-1. Anyways, Wednesday was a new day and for whatever reason Harden couldn't replicate his performance from Game 1.

He finished the game with 12 points (7 made FT's) on only 2-of-18 shooting, including 1-of-10 from beyond the arc and just a +1 in the +/- category He was 1-of-9 or something along those lines after the first quarter, after which he kept trying to jack up three-pointers in an attempt to get his rhythm back. He never did and honestly, the team never needed it as it comfortably extended their lead repeatedly when Harden was on the bench.

Having said all of that, this isn't the Harden of old. Despite his shooting struggles, he contributed in pretty much every other facet of the game - 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks. The win, even with Harden's shooting and scoring struggles, speaks to the depth and greatness of this team.

Wolves' bad offense

Jimmy Butler injuries - Midway through 3rd, flexing shoulder

#4 Chris Paul put on an exhibition

Chris Paul

With Harden having his difficulty scoring, Chris Paul took over. In a 20-point win, his +/- stat reads +21, second only to Clint Capela, who was a +22. Paul along with the second unit really opened the game up and once the Rockets were consistently enjoying a 15-point lead, he began to put on a show with some fancy layup and finger-rolls.

Have a look at this acrobatic reverse layup he makes after going one-on-one with Nemanja Bjelica:

That's not fair, @CP3... pic.twitter.com/EkWBGCCzID

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 19, 2018

A little earlier in the game, he made this RAINBOW finger-roll, which would make Hall of Famer George Gervin proud:

Pure like a💧. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ysFgOgXRdE

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 19, 2018

So, this is what happens when you have not one but two Hall of Fame point guards on the roster, with at least one of them being on the floor all the time.

#3 Timberwolves' terrible offense

Karl-Anthony Towns hounded by PJ Tucker and James Harden

Unlike Game 1, when the Timberwolves lost the plot late in the game, on Wednesday night, they disintegrated after the first quarter itself. The game wasn't competitive past halftime, as Minnesota already trailed by 15 after two quarters and weren't playing like they were primed to make a run that would cut into the lead.

A lot of it has to do with their miserable offense. They had multiple 5+ minute scoring droughts and when you are up against one of the best teams in the league, you simply can't have that.

16 turnovers, shooting percentages of 38.8% (31-of-80) from the field and 27.8% (5-of-18) from beyond the arc are just box score numbers that highlight their disappointing night on offense but visually it was just unbearable.

The Rockets weren't shooting too well either (36.5% and 30.8% on 3s) but Minnesota never troubled them because they never took advantage of their chances. A huge blame, if you want to call it that, can be put on Playoff rookie Karl-Anthony Towns, who had a second-straight miserable game - 5 points, 10 rebounds on 2-9 shooting and 0-2 on FT's.

#2 Jimmy Butler breaking down?

Jimmy Butler

All-Star Jimmy Butler is coming off a right knee-injury, something he suffered in late February in the first game after the All-Star break. Game 1 of this series was only his fifth game back, so it's a little unfair to expect him to carry the team completely against a championship-contender in the Rockets.

In this game, Butler had his right wrist taped, an injury that he had apparently picked up in the team's regular-season finale against the Denver Nuggets. Early in the third quarter, after a play, Butler was flexing his right shoulder and he didn't look comfortable.

Butler is so vital to the team, not just emotionally, but also as the best player on the floor. Him being wounded or not at 100% can really have an adverse effect on the team. Is the season's load taking a toll on him? Has he completely recovered from his right knee issue?

#1 Better depth for the Rockets showing

#14 Gerald Green stepped up in Game 2

With Harden not playing at his usual level, Houston needed somebody else to step up. Although Paul was leading the charge with the reserves, they were riding Gerald Green's hot shooting night as a spark.

Green put up 21 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block in 26 minutes on 7-of-17 shooting, including 5-of-12 from 3s. For the Wolves, Blejica put up 16 points in 19 minutes but a lot of his contribution came in garbage time.

Minnesota received 31 points from Jamal Crawford and Derrick Rose but obviously, that isn't sustainable as both of them only combined for 17 points in Game 2 on 7-of-18 shooting. Meanwhile, it seems to be quite obvious that the Rockets' reserves haven't even scratched the surface with respect to what they are capable of with the likes of Eric Gordon, Joe Johnson, Nene, Gerald Green, Ryan Anderson.

Note: We haven't even mentioned Luc Mbah A Moute, who's ruled out for this series.