The Houston Rockets have leaned on MVP favorite James Harden all year long and the bearded assassin came through once again for his club in a tight 104-101 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1. With Game 2 set for Wednesday, Harden will look to follow up a 44-point performance. After Game 1 went UNDER by 10.5 points, the UNDER is now 9-2 in Houston’s past 11 home games.
Sportsbook opened the Rockets as 10.5-point home favorites with a total of 214.5.
- The Timberwolves are 0-7 SU in their last seven games against the Rockets.
- The Timberwolves are 0-7 SU in their last seven games as an underdog of 10.5 or more.
- The Rockets are 0-5 ATS in their last five games.
Harden went 15-for-26 from the field in the series-Sportsbook game, netting seven straight points during a big run in the fourth quarter. Clint Capela collected 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting and 12 boards, which helped the Rockets overcome a 10-for-37 effort from three-point range in Game 1.
Andrew Wiggins paced the Timberwolves with 18 points in Game 1, but all-star center Karl-Anthony Towns slumped to nine points on 3-of-9 shooting. Derrick Rose was a major surprise, as the former MVP notched 18 points off the bench. Minnesota will need to get more from Jimmy Butler, who was held to 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting while battling foul trouble for the majority of the contest.
Bettors need to take note of a few important trends in this one. The Timberwolves are 11-2-1 against the spread in their last 14 as double-digit underdogs, while the Rockets are 4-14 ATS in their past 18 as double-digit favorites. Houston failed to cover the -11.5 spread in Game 1.
Can the T-wolves continue their red-hot run against the spread? The Timberwolves, who covered by 8.5 points in Game 1, are 5-0 ATS in their past five games.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Those looking to pick the visitors as their prediction to cover in this one found the Minnesota Timberwolves listed as 10-point underdogs earlier at Sportsbook. Meanwhile, the OVER/UNDER total betting line for this game was set at 212.5 at Sportsbook but may have moved since the betting odds opened.
OddsShark score prediction models pick a 109-99 result in favor of the Rockets today. 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
The Houston Rockets sit at 66-17 (41-40-2 ATS) on the season; in comparison, the Minnesota Timberwolves are currently 47-36 (38-42-3 ATS). Looking to bet on the points scored total? Houston is 33-49-1 OU and Minnesota is 45-37-1 OU. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Houston vs Minnesota injuries news.
This game pits the Rockets, currently No. 3 in the OddsShark NBA Power Rankings, against the Timberwolves, who rate No. 16 in the most recent survey update.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively the game matches up Houston's No. 2-ranked offense (112.25 PPG) against a Minnesota defense that ranks No. 18 at 107.24 PPG. The Rockets have averaged 45.99% from the field per game, less than the Timberwolves have managed so far this NBA season (47.61% on average).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Timberwolves endured a 104-101 loss at the hands of the Rockets on Sunday, despite a 18-point effort from Andrew Wiggins at Toyota Center.
- Minnesota is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
- Minnesota is 7-16 ATS in its last 23 games on the road
- Minnesota is 6-17 SU in its last 23 games on the road
- Houston is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
- Houston is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games
- Houston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Minnesota home to Houston, Saturday, April 21
