Houston Rockets (20-9) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (15-14)
Game Info: Friday, December 27, 2024 at 8:00 pm (Toyota Center)
Betting Odds: Houston Rockets -1.5 --- Over/Under: 215 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been in great shape as they've won seven of their last 11 games overall and they will be eager to keep it going after sneaking past the Mavericks in a 105-99 road win on Wednesday. Anthony Edwards led the team with 26 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, Julius Randle added 23 points with 10 rebounds and eight assists while Rudy Gobert chipped in with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 46 percent from the field and 14 of 32 from the 3-point line, but this win was more about their effort on defense as they held the Mavericks to just 16 points in the second quarter to take a 28-point lead which proved to be just enough to hold off a late rally in the fourth quarter.
Houston Rockets
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets have been in great shape as they've won six of their last seven games overall and they will be eager to build on their current four-game win streak after blowing past the struggling Pelicans in a 128-111 road win last night. Jalen Green led the team with 30 points on 12 of 21 shooting, Fred VanVleet added 25 points with six rebounds and four assists, Cam Whitmore added 27 points off the bench while Alperen Sengun chipped in with 10 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists. As a team, the Rockets shot 47 percent from the field and 18 of 47 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 39 points in the first quarter to take an 18-point lead into halftime, before they exploded for 41 points in the third quarter to lead by as many as 30 points.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won 10 of their last 11 games as road underdogs when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Rockets have lost each of their last four night games against Timberwolves teams that held a winning record.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last 12 games as road underdogs when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four games against Western Conference opponents following a win.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Timberwolves' last eight road games have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Rockets' last five home games against the Timberwolves following a road win has gone OVER the total points line.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Houston Rockets Prediction
The Timberwolves are still shorthanded with Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Jose Alverado all missing, while the Rockets are keeping an eye on Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason once again. The Rockets come into this game with plenty of momentum with six wins in their past seven outings, but they are playing their second game of a back-to-back set against a red-hot Timberwolves team who just beat the surging Mavericks. You can make an argument for either side here, but because the Rockets are playing on zero days' rest, I am siding with the Timberwolves who represent decent value as the underdog in this spot.
Peter’s Pick Minnesota +1.5
AUTHOR: Peter Tran
