Can Houston bounce back against a tough Timberwolves squad?
After a disappointing loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Houston Rockets must turn their attention to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tonight is also an NBA Cup game, and while I don’t fully understand the tiebreakers, Houston would go to 3-0 in group play with a win, and the only other teams that could finished with 3 wins would be the Clippers and Blazers, teams that Houston beat in the Cup already.
Still, this is a big test for Houston as they kick off a tough couple of weeks. After tonight’s contest, Houston will fly to Philadelphia, where the 76ers are bound to get Joel Embiid and Paul George back in time for Houston. The Rockets get three days off after that, which is nice. But after that comes an OKC team that will be favored even without Chet Holmgren followed by a three-game road trip to California to take on the Kings, Warriors, and Clippers. The schedule lightens a bit after that, but comes back with a vengeance around the New Year.
Last season, the Timberwolves swept the season series with Houston, 3-0. Two games were blowouts, and in the third Houston pulled close late before Minny’s finishing kick was too much.
Minnesota presents their own challenges in Rudy Gobert on defense and Anthony Edwards on offense. When Ant isn’t carving up defenses, newly-acquired Julius Randle and Donte DiVencenzo can do damage. Naz Reid had lots of big moments last season, and Jaden McDaniels has the contracts blueprint that Tari Eason is probably eyeing (5 years, $136 million). And uh, Eason’s probably gonna ask for more.
All of that is to say that if Houston can snag either of these two games on the back-to-back, they should feel pretty good. On paper, the Sixers game seems like the easier hill to climb, but the aforementioned imminent returns of two superstars coupled with the fact that Houston will be on a back-to-back while Philly will have had two days off makes for a solid schedule loss even with Embiid and George.
We’ll be in the Playback room tonight, so you should come join to watch the Rockets and talk about the game. Remember, we get a handful of VIP passes that we give out to anyone who wants to watch the game. No League Pass necessary!
Tip-off
7pm CT
How To Watch
Space City Home Network and Playback TV
Injury Report
Rockets
Steven Adams: DTD
Timberwolves
Mike Conley: GTD
The Line (as of this post)
MIN -3.5
Check here for updates
Looking ahead because we can
Tomorrow night at Philadelphia 76ers
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