Turnover battle a key to series

While the Timberwolves had to grind out every possible win to get to the postseason and a first-round matchup against the Rockets, the Rockets cruised through April. They said they will be able to recapture the intensity and focus needed for the postseason, but that can be especially important against the Timberwolves who were among the league leaders in points off turnovers.

“That’s probably one of our successes (against the Timberwolves),” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “We averaged nine turnovers a game against them and they usually create 15. That’s a big difference. That will lead to 10 to 12 points. That’s probably the difference in the game. We have to take care of the ball. We were efficient. But we have to be aware we can’t be careless, lose the ball. We got to keep our spacing and get guys opportunities to make plays without being in a crowd.”

The Timberwolves averaged 7.5 points off turnovers against the Rockets, more than 10 fewer than they averaged overall this season. In the Rockets’ past six games, however, they gave up 17.3 points per game off turnovers, often with the carelessness that came with a loss of intensity in games meaningless in the standings.

“I don’t think it’s difficult at all (to refocus),” Rockets forward Trevor Ariza said. “We are a veteran team. This is what all year we’ve been preparing for, to be in this situation. We need to take advantage of it, not take anything for granted and play every play like it matters

“Our thing is about possession and keeping the ball, not playing into their strengths and letting them turn us over, not letting them get secondchance points. Those little attention-to-details things … we have been focusing on. Hopefully, we cut those things out they do well.”

The Rockets swept the season series against the Timberwolves, winning three games by 18 points and the final meeting by nine.

“Every playoff team has the urgency you want to steal Game 1, get Game 1,” guard James Harden said. “We’re definitely not overlooking them. We know how much talent they have on that roster, well-coached. We know what we’re facing, what we’re up against.”

Butler’s return quite a boost

When Timberwolves AllStar Jimmy Butler went out with a knee injury Feb. 23 in Toyota Center, Rockets star James Harden went immediately to the Timberwolves’ locker room after the game to check on him.

There was concern at the time that Butler had suffered ligament damage, but with the injury limited to the meniscus, Butler had surgery and returned for the final three games of the Timberwolves’ season, scoring 31 points on Wednesday when the they took the final playoff spot .

“Obviously, Jimmy’s one of the best players we have in this league,” Harden said of his trip to the Toyota Center visitors’ locker room. “You don’t ever want to see someone get injured playing in this league. We knew it was serious because I know how much of a warrior and beast he is.

“Usually, Jimmy gets banged up and he gets right back up, but he didn’t get up. I wanted to check on him and make sure he was straight.”

Butler, a seven-year veteran from Tomball, averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists this season.

Masters champion to take ‘First Shot’

Masters champion Patrick Reed will take the “First Shot” before the Rockets’ playoff opener against Minnesota. A resident of The Woodlands, Reed is the first professional golfer to take the shot this season, but it is not the first time Reed and the Rockets have crossed paths by playing the other’s sport.

Rockets point guard Chris Paul played a round of golf with Reed, a fellow client of CAA.

“The first week I got here, we played golf, me and him and my brother ( C.J.),” Paul said. “He’s a really good dude. We played 18 when I got here in The Woodlands. I was really happy for him (for winning the Masters.)”

Anderson likely out for Game 1

Rockets forward/center Ryan Anderson stepped up his rehab from a sprained left ankle to do “more on-court work,” coach Mike D’Antoni said, but Anderson is unlikely to return in time to play in Game 1.

“He’ll be dressed, but we’ll be very cautious on Sunday,” D’Antoni said. “I don’t think he’s quite ready for Sunday, but soon after.”

Anderson is listed as questionable. Forward Luc Mbah a Moute is out with a dislocated shoulder.