[Chron Blog] Is this the real Rockets defense? Will it hold up?

This is where it gets tough.

Minnesota and Phoenix in a back-to-back as the Rockets schedule picks up the pace to the mid-December move deep in the loaded Western Conference.

But this right here will demonstrate a lot about what the Rockets have become in their 9-4 start.

Minnesota has not been given a lot of respect in the blog. Someone called the Timberwolves "cupcakes."

Actually, the Timberwolves have been playing well lately. More than that, being just the sort of team that tests the Rockets -- quickness off the dribble, perimeter shooting center.

The Rockets defense did not measure up well when the schedule pitted them against the Spurs and Pistons. In the three games since, they have allowed just 36 percent shooting.

The Timberwolves, however, can point guards Mike James (who hit the Rockets for 30 in Toronto last season when he seemed to be trying to prove a point), Troy Hudson, Ricky Davis and Randy Foye at the Rockets defense to see if the Rockets can keep them out of the lane. All but Foye, the rookie, have enjoyed great nights against the Rockets, and Foye looks the part.

Center Mark Blount has done so well against the Rockets with the Timberwolves and Celtics that Jeff Van Gundy assumed that Blount circles the Rockets games on his schedule in excitement.

That's to say nothing of Kevin Garnett.

Follow that with Phoenix, Cleveland, Golden State and at Minnesota and the Rockets will find out a lot about that defense.

If it really is as tough as it appeared last week, the Rockets' strong first month could hold up for awhile. If not, we will find out quickly, with the meat of the Western Conference looming ahead.

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The Rockets can't be thrilled with having to play the Suns in the second half of a back-to-back this week. There might not be another team worse to face in the second game in as many nights, with the exception of maybe high-scoring Denver at altitude. And both games at Phoenix are in the second half of back-to-backs.

But the Rockets cannot complain too much this week. The game against the Timberwolves tonight in the third of five consecutive at Toyota Center in which their opponent is playing the second half of a back-to-back while the Rockets were off the night before.

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