The Houston Rockets will try to win their sixth consecutive game vs the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight in Game 1 of their first-round series. The Rockets finished with the best record in the NBA this season and are 15-3 SU in their last 18 games. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, needed a win in game 82 of their season just to clinch a spot in the postseason and opened as 11.5-point pups in H-Town.
- The Rockets are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games as a favorite of 11.5 or more.
- The Timberwolves are 6-16 SU and ATS in their last 22 games on the road.
- The Rockets are 6-0 SU in their last six games after a loss.
Houston has been hands down the best team in the league this season as it finished first in points per game and sixth in points allowed per game. MVP frontrunner James Harden led the NBA with 30.4 points per game while also chipping in 8.8 assists. Along with the addition of superstar Chris Paul, this squad has their sights set on June in the NBA Finals. But as double-digit favorites, the Rockets were extremely frustrating for bettors as Houston is 6-14 ATS in its last 20 games as faves of 10 points or more.
On the flipside, Minnesota was supposed to vault themselves into the discussion of winning the Western Conference but a knee injury to Jimmy Butler prevented the Timberwolves from remaining near the top of the standings. As a result, the T’Wolves were a mixed bag in Butler’s absence, posting a 9-9 SU record and were 7-10-1 against the spread to close the season. While Minnesota may give Houston a challenge, it doesn’t bode well for Minni when you factor in that its 1-10 SU in its last 11 games on the road vs teams with winning records.
The total opened at 217 and trends are pointing to an OVER at the Toyota Center. The OVER has hit in 14 of the last 17 games in this matchup with an average combined score of 228.8 points per game in those contests.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Houston Rockets opened as -9-point favorites at online sportsbook Sportsbook, while the NBA total line was sitting around 218.5 at Sportsbook for those who prefer OVER/UNDER betting on the total amount of points scored.
Odds Shark computer prediction formulas pick a 107-98 win for the Rockets on Sunday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Houston Rockets Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Supporters of the Minnesota Timberwolves have seen them go 47-35 and 37-42-3 ATS so far this NBA season, while the Houston Rockets are at 65-17 and 41-39-2 ATS. In Over/Under totals betting, the Rockets are 33-48-1, while the Minnesota Timberwolves are 45-36-1. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Houston vs Minnesota injuries news.
The power rankings show a disparity between these teams with the Houston Rockets rated this week at No. 2 and the Minnesota Timberwolves sitting at No. 17.
Statistical Matchup
In rebounding, the battle of the boards features Houston's No. 18-rated NBA squad against Minnesota's No. 24-rated roster. When it comes to long-range shooting, Houston rates No. 1 in the league with 15.32 per game, while their foes tonight rank No. 30 with 8.02 per outing.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Nuggets were burned for 31 points by Jimmy Butler on Wednesday as the Timberwolves picked up a 112-106 win at Target Center.
Houston got 31 points from Gerald Green en route to a 96-83 loss at the hands of Houston on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center.
- Minnesota is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games
- Minnesota is 6-16 ATS in its last 22 games on the road
- Houston is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
- Houston is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston's last 8 games
- Houston is 20-1 SU in its last 21 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Minnesota at Houston, Wednesday, April 18th
