Paul picks his time to shine

HOUSTON - James Harden predicted Chris Paul would "come back and drop 30" after not playing his best in Houston's playoff opener.

Close enough.

Paul had 27 points and Gerald Green came off the bench to score a playoff career-high 21 as the Rockets used a huge second quarter to cruise to a 102-82 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night that gave them a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Paul, a nine-time All-Star, scored 14 points and tied a season high with six turnovers in the first game.

Early on, it was clear that he wouldn't struggle again as he had 15 points, three assists, two steals and a block by halftime.

Paul, who joined the Rockets in an offseason trade from the LA Clippers, finished with eight assists and three steals.

"I know Chris was beating himself up after Game 1," said Harden.

"He called me and we talked a little bit and I said: 'Don't worry about it, the win is all that matters. Just come back and be aggressive'."

Paul seemed to listen to his captain.

"Just tried to push the tempo, tried to be aggressive ... getting into the lane and getting a couple of easy ones early helped us," he said.

Houston fell behind early but went on top for good with a 37-point second quarter, powered by four 3-pointers from Green, and the Wolves didn't threaten again.

The top-seeded Rockets won the opener by three behind a 44-point performance from Harden on a night when most of the team struggled offensively.

Things were much different on Wednesday when Harden went 2 for 18 and had just 12 points as one of four Rockets who finished in double figures.

Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns had another disappointing game, scoring all of his five points in the first quarter after being criticized for finishing with eight in the series opener.

Towns said he can't be overly frustrated with how the first two games unfolded for him.

"I think we all have to be better, including myself," he said.

"We've got to find ways. We can come up with some tweaks and be ready for the next game."

The All-Star big man went to the bench with about seven minutes left in the third quarter and didn't return, and coach Tom Thibodeau said Towns needs to "play with energy."

The Rockets tried to wear Towns down by using Clint Capela and the much-bulkier Nene on him in the first half.

"It's playoffs and it's a different ball game every night," Towns said.

"The physicality is different and the way the game is played is different. We've got to adjust accordingly."

Jamal Crawford scored 16 points for the eighth-seeded Timberwolves, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

Associated Press