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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How Astros aim to flip script with frontline arms leading charge
Jul 10, 2025, 2:34 pm
José Ramírez homered for a third straight game, Angel Martínez also went deep and the Cleveland Guardians got a 4-2 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep.
It’s the first time the Guardians, who entered the series on a 10-game skid, have won three in a row since a four-game winning streak from May 21-24.
Slade Cecconi (4-4) allowed five hits and two runs with a career-best nine strikeouts in 7-plus innings for the win. Paul Sewald pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save.
Martínez homered for a second straight at-bat with his shot to the Crawford Boxes with one out in the first inning. His grand slam with two outs in the 10th inning Tuesday night lifted Cleveland to a 10-6 win.
Four pitches after Martinez’s homer Wednesday, Ramírez also connected off Brandon Walter (1-2) to make it 2-0. Walter settled in after that, retiring the next 17 batters, with seven strikeouts before Bennett Sousa took over to start the seventh.
Ramírez and Carlos Santana hit consecutive singles with no outs in the inning before David Fry walked to load the bases. Johnathan Rodríguez then singled to score two and extend the lead to 4-0.
The Astros had managed just four singles when Taylor Trammell walked with no outs in the eighth and scored on a double by Mauricio Dubón that cut the lead to 4-1. There were two outs in the inning when Jose Altuve’s RBI double made it 4-2.
The AL West-leading Astros went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position to cap this disappointing series which came after they swept the Dodgers in Los Angeles over the weekend.
Key moment
Martínez and Ramírez had back-to-back homers in the first.
Key stat
Ramírez, who dropped out of next week’s All-Star game Wednesday to rehab a nagging Achilles injury, has four homers and seven RBIs this month.
Up next
LHP Logan Allen (5-7, 4.07 ERA) will start for Cleveland in the opener of a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox Thursday night. The Astros are off Thursday and haven’t announced their rotation for their weekend series against the Rangers.