Minnesota Timberwolves vs Houston Rockets Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 02/04/2024, 05:00  by Kennedy Kechula in NBA Predictions

The Minnesota Timberwolves will be at home against the Houston Rockets in their next NBA outing. They are currently third in the West standings, 13 games clear of 11th-placed Houston. The Timberwolves saw a four-match winning run snapped last time out as they fell at home 109-101 to the Bulls. Their 23rd loss of the season saw them drop out of top spot once again in the West. Chris Finch’s men, who have won 51 games, now trail current leaders OKC by one game. The Timberwolves have won the first two matchups of the season with the Rockets. Another win here will see them sweep this regular season series. Minnesota are slowly getting healthy but Jaylen Clark and Karl Anthony-Towns remain sidelined and will be involved here. The Timberwolves have averaged 106 points over their last three matches. Their number-one-ranked defence has however not wavered and in their last three outings have held teams to under 100 points on average.

The Rockets are also coming off a loss. Ime Udoka’s men saw the joint longest winning run this season halted as they came undone 125-107 at home to the Mavericks. Houston had won 11 straight games and were looking to become the first team this season to win 12 in a row. That run thrust them right into the playoff picture. With seven games left to play for Houston, they sit two games adrift of the play-in places. They play the Warriors, who occupy the final play-in place, next after this trip to Minneapolis. A win against the Timberwolves will set them up nicely for that pivotal home game. Alperen Sengun is still out injured and will not be involved here. Neither will long-term absentees Tari Eason and Steven Adams. The Rockets have averaged 113.3 points over their last three matches.