GAME PREVIEW
Here's what could swing outcome in Rockets' showdown against Timberwolves
Nov 26, 2024, 3:29 pm
The Timberwolves host the Rockets on Tuesday night. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.
The Houston Rockets (12-6), currently third in the Western Conference, travel to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves (8-8) on Tuesday night. Both teams are looking to solidify their playoff pushes early in the season, with Houston aiming to extend their strong start and Minnesota seeking consistency.
Key Storylines
- Rockets' Paint Dominance: Houston thrives in the paint, ranking eighth in the NBA with 53.0 points per game in that area. Alperen Sengun, who averages 12.4 paint points per game, anchors their interior scoring and will be pivotal against Minnesota's big men.
- Anthony Edwards Leading the Timberwolves: Edwards continues to shine for Minnesota, averaging 27.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. His ability to take over games and provide consistent offensive production will be a key factor against Houston's defense.
- Defensive Challenges: The Timberwolves' offense, shooting 46.9% from the field, will face a tough test against Houston’s stout defense, which limits opponents to just 42.7% shooting. Conversely, Minnesota allows 110.8 points per game and must find ways to disrupt Houston’s balanced attack led by Jalen Green, who averages 18.7 points per game.
Team Trends
- Rockets: Houston has won seven of their last 10 games and averages 113.8 points during this stretch. Their defense has been stellar, holding opponents to just 103.7 points per game while forcing turnovers with 10.3 steals per contest.
- Timberwolves: Minnesota has been streaky, going 5-5 in their last 10. They’ve averaged 113.6 points while allowing 109.7 points per game, with a strong track record in games decided by double digits (4-2 record).
Key Matchup
- Edwards vs. Houston's Defense: How the Rockets handle Edwards could determine the outcome. Houston’s ability to slow the Timberwolves’ star while maintaining their own offensive rhythm will be critical.
Injury Report
- Timberwolves: Mike Conley (toe) is listed as day-to-day.
- Rockets: Steven Adams (knee) is day-to-day.
Betting Information
- Line: Timberwolves -3
- Over/Under: 220.5
This matchup features two teams battling for positioning within a crowded Western Conference. With Houston’s stout defense clashing against Minnesota’s potent offense, this game promises to be a compelling contest.
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Dec 30, 2024, 5:47 pm
Rockets forward Amen Thompson threw Heat guard Tyler Herro to the floor to trigger an altercation that resulted in six ejections in the closing minute of Miami's 104-100 victory over Houston on Sunday.
Thompson and Herro became entangled with Miami about to inbound the ball leading 99-94 with 35 seconds left. Thompson grabbed Herro by the jersey and tossed him, with referee Marc Davis describing it as Thompson “body slams Herro.”
“I didn’t see it live, but I re-watched it,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “They were in each other’s face, bumping chests a little bit, and one guy’s stronger than the other.”
Herro, Thompson, and Udoka were ejected, as were Heat guard Terry Rozier, Rockets guard Jalen Green, and Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan.
Davis said Green and Rozier escalated the altercation, while Sullivan was assessed a technical foul and ejected for unsportsmanlike comments as the referee was trying to redirect the Rockets' Alperen Sengun.
The altercation occurred after Miami had come from 12 points down in the second half to regain the lead with the help of Houston missing 11 straight shots in the fourth quarter. Herro keyed the comeback, leading all scorers with 27 points and adding nine assists and six rebounds.
He believed that's what frustrated Thompson.
“Guess that’s what’s happens when someone’s scoring, throwing dimes, doing the whole thing,” Herro said. “I’d get mad, too.”
Herro said he had never spoken to Thompson, who did not talk to reporters after Sunday’s game, so there was no previous bad blood between the two.
“Just two competitors going at it, playing basketball,” Herro said. “It was a regular game that we were playing throughout.”
Houston's Fred VanVleet had been ejected just before the fight, with Davis saying VanVleet made contact with him after being called for a 5-second violation.
The win for Miami came 24 hours after losing 120-110 in Atlanta. The Heat were missing second-leading scorer Jimmy Butler for a fifth straight game, so Herro was proud of his team played against one of NBA’s best teams this season.
“They’re top two, three in the West,” Herro said. “Very good defense. Got a bunch of young, athletic guys that can really play, so that’s a good win for us. That’s a stepping stone. We go 2-1 on the road. Put ourselves in a position to win yesterday, and I like how it’s going. We just got to continue to keep getting better.”