The Houston Rockets look to keep rolling as they face a shaky Minnesota Timberwolves team.
Catch the game tomorrow at 9:00 AM, Manila time.
AWAY: Minnesota Timberwolves (15-14, 7-8 AWAY)
Projected starting five:
- Mike Conley
- Anthony Edwards
- Jaden McDaniels
- Julius Randle
- Rudy Gobert
The Timberwolves will be coming off a win as they held-off the Dallas Mavericks, 105-99. However, it only snapped a three-game losing streak and almost blew a 28-point lead. It’s on brand with the team’s very lukewarm campaign.
Further, they also lost in overtime in their previous meeting with the Rockets last November 27th, 117-111. The much-criticized Julius Randle was decent with 22 points on 9-of-18 shooting, but Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels would combine to go just 12-for-38, though it might be worth noting that the former posted a double-double of 29 points and 10 rebounds, alongside three blocks. Rudy Gobert, meanwhile, was almost nonexistent beyond crashing the glass as had 16 boards and only five points. He didn’t do a good job on his counterpart either.
Minnesota is at 104.5 points per game with a -10.7 point differential in its last four games. In the seven games prior to that stretch, it was at 103.7 PPG on a +13.
HOME: Houston Rockets (21-9, 11-3 HOME)
Projected starting five:
- Fred VanVleet
- Jalen Green
- Dillon Brooks
- Jabari Smith Jr.
- Alperen Sengun
The Rockets’ resurgence continues. They come into tomorrow’s contest having won four in a row. They average 119.7 PPG and only allow 108.7 on the other end in that timeframe.
Defense remains as the key strength of the squad as it ranks inside the top 3 in points allowed and defensive rating this season, which gets more interesting when you consider that it’s also filled with some good offensive talent – Fred VanVleet as the floor general, Jalen Green as the explosive scorer, and Alperen Sengun as the all-around big man.
Sengun had a triple-double (28 pts, 10 rebs, 11 ast), while VanVleet (27 pts, 11 ast) had a double-double in the aforementioned win over Minnesota last month. Defensive ace Dillon Brooks was also offensive-minded as he scored 22. Green deferred (9 pts, 3/9 FGs) with all the good performances around him, but he should look to do more damage tomorrow.
PICKS:
Spread: Rockets (+1.5)
Over/Under: Over (215)