The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Houston Rockets do battle at the Toyota Center on Friday night. Here’s a Rockets vs. Timberwolves Prediction. This article will include a Rockets vs. Timberwolves Pick.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been in a rut as they’ve dropped four of their last five games overall and they will be hoping to bounce back in this one after getting routed by the Magic in a 132-120 road defeat on Wednesday. Terrence Shannon Jr. led the team with 33 points and five assists on 11 of 14 shooting, Jaden McDaniels added 18 points on eight of 16 shooting, and Naz Reid chipped in with 15 points. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 50 percent from the field and 18 of 44 from the 3-point line as they got off to a sluggish start and scored just 21 points in the second quarter to trail by 10 points at halftime and things only got worse in the second half, where the deficit ballooned to 24 points at one stage. The Timberwolves finished with 16 turnovers and they got outrebounded by 48-33 in a disappointing effort.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets look to be peaking at just the right time, as they’ve won 10 of their last 12 games and they will be aiming for a ninth straight victory after blowing past the 76ers in a 113-102 home win last night. Kevin Durant led the team with 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists on 10 of 18 shooting; Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson each scored 19 points, while Tari Eason chipped in with 15 points off the bench. As a team, the Rockets shot 45 percent from the field and 11 of 32 from the 3-point line as they caught fire early and poured in 73 points in the first half to lead by as many as 28 points, which turned out to be crucial as the Rockets went cold and saw their lead get cut to just five points at one stage.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Rockets have won each of their last eight games.
- The Timberwolves have lost each of their last eight games at Toyota Center following a road loss.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the last four games between the Timberwolves and Rockets.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games as underdogs.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won nine of their last 11 games as underdogs against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Rockets have lost seven of their last eight night games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games as underdogs against Southwest Division opponents following a loss.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games following a home win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Rockets’ last seven games as favorites following a home win have gone OVER the total points line.
- Seven of the Timberwolves’ last eight road games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (48.0).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (15.0).
- The Timberwolves have used only 12 different starting fives this season—the fewest in the league.
- The Timberwolves rank 2nd in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (4.0).
Rockets vs Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves are shorthanded with Rudy Gobert rested and they are keeping an eye on Ayo Dosunmu, Anthony Edwards and Bones Hyland, who are all questionable, while the Rockets are still missing Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams. These teams have clashed twice this season, with each team winning at home and both games were decided by a combined eight points so we could be in for a thriller in this one. The Timberwolves are banged up right now and they could really do with the return of Anthony Edwards, while the Rockets have been on fire and are clear favorites despite playing their second game of a back-to-back set. Be sure to check the lineups before tipoff, but at this stage I prefer a play on the Rockets to continue their hot streak with another double-digit win.