Rockets’ 50-point 3rd takes out Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS — James Harden gave the Rockets quite the jumpstart with 22 of the team’s 50 points in the third quarter as the Rockets cruised past the Timberwolves 119100 on Monday night to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Chris Paul scored 15 of his 25 points in the nearrecord third for the Rockets, who turned a 50-49 halftime edge into a 31-point advantage after the torrid 12-minute span. The only team in the history of the NBA playoffs with more points in one quarter was the Lakers, who scored 51 points in the fourth on March 31, 1962, in a loss to the Pistons.

Harden finished with 36 points on 12-for-26 shooting, Clint Capela added 14 points and 17 rebounds, Eric Gordon finally got going with 18 points off the bench and the Rockets easily recovered from their rough start.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 22 points and 15 rebounds for the Timberwolves.

Derrick Rose, who finished with 17 points and six rebounds, was the Timber- wolves’ catalyst off the bench with multiple muscle-his-way-in layups on both fast breaks and in the half court. Starting point guard Jeff Teague, meanwhile, had only two points on 1-for-7 shooting while fighting through an injury to his right pinky finger.

Trevor Ariza, who scored 15 points, made the first three 3-pointers tried by the Rockets, who then missed on 13 of their next 14 tries from behind the arc. Harden didn’t make a basket until 5:57 remained in the second quarter, when his 10-foot floater fell in to cut the Timberwolves’ lead to 39-37. He swished one of his signature step- back 3pointers on the next possession, and the Rockets were right back in front.

Just like in Game 2, the Rockets raced out of the gate after the half. Harden scored 17 of their first 20 points. Wolves star Jimmy Butler started forcing offbalance shots and finished with 19 points on 7 for 17 shooting.

Gordon hit a buzzerbeating 3-pointer to extend the Rockets’ lead to 100-69 heading into the fourth quarter.