Houston Rockets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Player Prop Picks 11/26/24

The Houston Rockets will face the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 26, 2024, in a matchup that pits the Rockets’ young, developing roster against the Timberwolves’ more experienced squad. Houston’s hopes will rest on the performances of Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün as they look to exploit Minnesota’s defense with their athleticism and pace. 

The Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert, will rely on their defensive prowess, particularly Gobert’s rim protection and Towns’ ability to stretch the floor. Minnesota’s experience and depth give them an advantage, but Houston could keep it competitive if their young stars get hot, especially in transition. Ultimately, the Timberwolves’ balance of scoring and defense should give them the edge, but if the Rockets can limit turnovers and hit timely shots, they might be able to make it a close contest.

Rudy Gobert Over 10.5 Rebounds

Rudy Gobert has been a dominant rebounder during the 2024-25 NBA season for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Over 16 games, he has averaged 11.1 rebounds per game, with 7.6 coming from defensive boards and 3.5 from offensive rebounds. This puts him among the league’s top rebounders, reflecting his consistent presence on the glass. He has maintained a solid balance between defensive and offensive rebounding, crucial for the Timberwolves’ interior defense and second-chance opportunities.

Gobert is coming off a massive game on the boards collecting 20 rebounds against the Boston Celtics. I think he carries that momentum into Tuesday against the Rockets. The Rockets are known as a physical team but they haven’t been great on the glass. They are allowing 54.2 rebounds per game to opposing teams which is the 7th most in the league. In what should be a close and competitive game I expect Gobert to step up and have a good night on the glass. 

Fred VanVleet Under 6.5 Assists

Fred VanVleet has been averaging 6.1 assists per game during this NBA season. Over 17 games for the Houston Rockets, he has also contributed with 4.3 rebounds and 14.5 points per game. His assist-to-turnover ratio stands at 5.2, reflecting solid playmaking ability, although he has a slightly higher turnover rate of 1.2 per game.

Over his last 5 games, he’s only cleared this line of 6.5 assists in just one game. He’ll have a tough matchup against this Timberwolves defense that particularly plays well on the perimeter. Both of these teams also play at a slow pace which will limit the amount of possessions each team will have. The Timberwolves are only giving up 23.9 assists per game which is the 5th fewest in the league. I expect a slow night for VanVleet when it comes to an assist perspective. 

Julius Randle Over 20.5 Points

Julius Randle has been a consistent scorer for the Minnesota Timberwolves this NBA season, averaging 21.8 points per game over 14 games so far. He is playing around 34.4 minutes per game and has maintained solid shooting efficiency, connecting on 50% of his field goals. Randle has also been effective from the three-point line, with a shooting percentage of 35.9% on 4.7 attempts per game, and is hitting 79.1% of his free throws. His scoring has been complemented by 7.3 rebounds per game, solidifying his role as a key contributor on both ends​.

Julius Randle is starting to find his groove on this Timberwolves team. We’ve seen him have over 20 points in his last 4 games and even had a 35-point game against the Suns on November 17th. I expect oddsmakers to increase his line as the season goes on so there’s a lot of value with his line at 20.5.