The Minnesota Timberwolves are hoping to win their season series against the Houston Rockets for the fifth straight year.

Catch the game tomorrow at 10:30 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: Minnesota Timberwolves (31-25, 16-13 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Rob Dillingham
  • Anthony Edwards
  • Nickeil Alexander-Walker
  • Jaden McDaniels
  • Rudy Gobert

The Timberwolves are 6-3 in their last nine games, averaging 116.3 points per game while giving up 108.3 points on the other end across that span. In addition, they have also captured two of their three meetings with the Rockets this season, with the most recent being the easy 127-114 win last February 7th, where Anthony Edwards dropped a game-high 41 points and the team collectively sank 16 three-pointers.

Edwards remains as the guy, and we can expect the All-Star to keep being a do-it-all presence. He has 27.5 PPG on the season and three 40-plus point games in his last five outings, relentlessly flexing his downhill attack and insane athleticism on defenses. Julius Randle being sidelined with an injury has also upped his usage further.

With Randle out, the group of Naz Reid, Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, Nickel Alexander-Walker, and rookie Rob Dillingham will be ‘Antman’s’ key cohorts. Reid is  the most reliable offensive player 

In three meetings with Houston this season, Minnesota is putting up 117.0 points with a +2.7 point differential.

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HOME: Houston Rockets (34-21, 17-9 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Aaron Holiday
  • Jalen Green
  • Dillon Brooks
  • Amen Thompson
  • Alperen Sengun

The Rockets are likewise on some trend over their last nine games, although it’s the other way around. They are just 2-7 in that stretch, scoring 106.9 PPG with a -4.1 net rating.

Nevertheless, Alperen Sengun is in his usual ‘Nikola Jokic’ self in the season series as he posts 25.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. Look for the all-around Turk to keep doing his thing. Floor Fred VanVleet (22.5 PPG, 9.0 APG) is also delivering offense vs. MIN, but he’s still not expected to play due to an injury. Jalen Green is only at a 37% clip in three games opposite Minny, but his game-high 28 points on 9-of-22 shooting is consistent with how he’s been improving over the past month or so.

Amen Thompson is netting 16.5 points, 9.7 boards, 5.4 dimes, 2.0 steals, and 1.6 blocks on 52.7% shooting at the turn of the year (20 games), and is constantly improving, so he’ll be one to watch out for.

PICKS:

Spread: Rockets (-4)

Over/Under: Over (216.5)

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