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.