The Minnesota Timberwolves (12-27) will try to put an end to their seven-game skid when they meet the Houston Rockets (20-19) at the Toyota Center. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Jan. 13 and can be seen on RSW and FNo.
The Rockets enter this game hoping for similar success after topping the Grizzlies 107-91 on Tuesday. Terrence Jones played a pivotal role with 20 points, four rebounds, and three steals. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 101-96 loss against the Thunder on Tuesday. Zach LaVine had a good game for Minnesota, registering 21 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
Over the last five games, Dwight Howard has taken his game to another level for the Rockets, averaging 19.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.8 blocks.
The Rockets have gone 19-19 Straight Up (SU) and 15-23 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 13-11 SU and 11-13 ATS against the Western Conference. The Rockets have no trouble scoring as they rank fourth in the league in offense with 104.0 points per game. The Rockets are one of the best in the NBA in terms of three-point field goals, making 10.0 shots per game from beyond the arc. As for the Houston defense, opponents have consistently had the ball stolen by the Rockets, who lead the league in steals per game with 10.0. Houston is one of the league’s top scoring teams off turnovers with an average of 18.7 points per game.
In the other locker room, the Timberwolves have a record of 14-23-1 ATS and 12-26 SU. Minnesota has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 2-8 record. Offensively, the Timberwolves have really sputtered in the last 10 games. Their season average has fallen to 98.6 points per game after averaging only 89.4 during that stretch. The Timberwolves get to the line and convert their free throws at a high volume, leading the league with 811 made (20.0 per game).
The conference foes meet for what will be their first head-to-head battle of the season. Houston won the last game in the matchup, bumping its SU record to 8-2 over the Timberwolves in their last 10 meetings. The teams are even ATS, with a 5-5 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou
Notes
Houston is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 5 games when playing Minnesota.
Houston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Minnesota.
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston’s last 8 games when playing at home against Minnesota.
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston.
Minnesota ranks 21st in points per game with 98.6, while Houston ranks 26th in points allowed with an average of 105.4 given up.
Houston ranks 27th in points allowed per home game (105.1 PPG), while Minnesota ranks ninth in points per away game with 101.6.
When giving up fewer than 100 points, the Minnesota Timberwolves have a 9-6 record. When scoring fewer than 100 points, the Houston Rockets have an underachieving record of 2-10.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Timberwolves are just 3-21 this season. Houston is a solid 18-9 when registering triple digits.
The Timberwolves have an offensive rating of 100.9 (ranked 26th), while the Rockets rank 22nd for their defensive rating of 105.8.
Houston has an average field goal percentage of 44.4%. Minnesota is a subpar 4-20 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Houston Rockets rank lower for their field goal percentage (15th) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (eighth), but the Minnesota Timberwolves have a better FG% ranking (13th) than their EFF% ranking (25th).
On average, the Minnesota Timberwolves make 21.7 assists per game and the Houston Rockets make 21.3. Minnesota is ranked 14th, while Houston is ranked 17th.
The Houston Rockets average 5.0 blocks per game for a rank of 14th. The Minnesota Timberwolves rank lower (19th), earning 4.5 blocks each game.
Houston is ranked eighth in offensive rebounding. Minnesota ranks 22nd in defensive rebounds.
The Houston Rockets average 10.0 steals per game (ranked first). The Minnesota Timberwolves have a subpar record of 5-9 when they allow at least 9 steals.
