NBA Playoffs 2018: Power ranking the first round matchups

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 4: Close up view of the NBA Playoffs logo before the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Utah Jazz during Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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nba playoffs, James Harden, Houston Rockets, Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 13: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets passes the ball away from Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on February 13, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

7. No. 1 Houston Rockets (65-17) vs. No. 8 Minnesota Timberwolves (47-35)

Mike D’Antoni and Tom Thibodeau represent the same person on opposite sides of the spectrum. They are each other’s antithesis. While D’Antoni is known for being lax, Thibs holds intense practices in the off days and grinds his players down under huge minute loads. (If Thibs whittles down his already short rotation for the playoffs, the Wolves starters might play 46 minutes per game.)

Both became synonymous with their coaching styles; D’Antoni for his innovative, up-tempo offenses and Thibodeau for brutal, shutdown defensive schemes. The script flipped this year though, as Minnesota employs the 4^th-rated offense and 23^rd-rated defense. Houston remains at the top of the charts in offensive prowess but stepped up to the league’s 6^th-best defense.

Congratulations to the Wolves for getting into the playoffs and breaking the NBA’s longest current postseason drought of 14 years. However, this could get ugly quick since they don’t have the defense to stop the Rockets’ cavalcade of euro-stepping, foul-drawing, and 3-point sniping.

Prediction: Houston in four and Minnesota finds a trade for Andrew Wiggins this summer.

Game 1 between the Rockets and Timberwolves tips off at 9:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 15. TNT will have the national telecast from the Toyota Center in Houston.

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