Durant Finds Rhythm As Rockets Rally Past Timberwolves With Six 3-Pointers

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Kevin Durant led the Houston Rockets past the Minnesota Timberwolves with a sharp shooting display from deep, ending a difficult run from long range. Durant produced 39 points and hit six of eight 3-point attempts as Houston claimed a 110-105 win, moving to 24-15 this season.

The 15-time All-Star still found areas to improve, despite the scoring show. Durant’s free-throw accuracy dipped to 78.6% against Minnesota, after producing five flawless games from the line in the previous eight. Durant said the next step was putting both shooting areas together.

Durant explained that recent struggles from beyond the arc had been on the mind throughout the build-up. Durant said afterwards: "I was conscious of it. I knew I was struggling from the 3 in the last few games, and I wanted to turn it around."

That determination followed a difficult stretch from distance across the previous 10 contests. In eight of those games, Durant failed to hit more than two 3-pointers, while making four in each of the remaining two. The run ended with a 0-5 display in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Durant described detailed work on shooting habits before facing Minnesota. Durant said: "But then my free throws went away, so I've got to make sure both of those are working at the same time. Pre-game, I was so focused on going through my whole process on my 3s, not rushing, keeping my follow-through up. I just try to duplicate that same performance in the real game."

Team-mate Reed Sheppard stressed there was never concern inside the Houston Rockets locker room about outside shooting. Sheppard said: "Any time the ball goes in, the game's a lot easier, it's a lot more fun, but the last thing I'm worried about with this group is the shooting ability."

Sheppard pointed to regular work behind the scenes as a reason for confidence in the Houston Rockets and Durant. Sheppard added: "We've been in the gym a lot, and I've seen these guys shoot. Everyone on the team can shoot extremely well. That's basketball sometimes. You're going to make shots and miss shots. Unfortunately, we've been missing a lot, but I have no doubt that will turn, and we'll get on a roll."

The result left Houston preparing to face the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, looking to build on Durant’s improved 3-point rhythm. Minnesota moved straight into a back-to-back situation, with the Timberwolves scheduled to meet the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.