The Houston Rockets entered the all-star break on a 10-game winning streak and own the top spot in the Western Conference as a result. James Harden and company welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Lone Star State on Friday. The OVER is trending when these teams meet, as 13 of the last 15 matchups between the squads have gone above the closing total.
Sportsbook opened the Wolves as 8.5-point road underdogs with a total of 226.
- The Timberwolves are 0-6 SU and 1-5 ATS in their last six games on the road.
- The total has gone OVER in seven of the Timberwolves’ last nine games against teams with winning records.
- The total has gone UNDER in six of the Rockets’ last eight games at home.
After tonight, the Rockets hit the road for 10 of their next 13 on the road, with the lone home games coming against Boston, San Antonio and the Los Angeles Clippers. Houston added to its roster over the break by signing veteran swingman Joe Johnson and power forward Brandon Wright after the pair cleared waivers. Trevor Ariza is expected to be back in the fold vs the Timberwolves after a nine-game absence.
The Timberwolves faced the Rockets at home on February 13, when they allowed Houston to make 10 three-pointers in the fourth quarter of a 126-108 loss. Minnesota is in the middle of the pack in the Western Conference playoff race and is only 3 1/2 games clear of the ninth-place Clippers entering Thursday.
Houston has long dominated this series, as the Rockets have won 12 of the last 13 meetings between the clubs. Houston hasn’t been getting the job done when it comes to covering the spread at home as a favorite. In the Rockets’ last six when tabbed as home chalk, they’ve gone 1-5 ATS.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The visiting Minnesota Timberwolves opened this morning as 7.5-point underdogs in this one at most sportsbooks tracked at OddsShark (including Sportsbook), while the total was hovering around 226.5 at Sportsbook and other betting odds shops.
OddsShark computer score prediction models pick a possible 120-104 win for the Rockets on Friday. 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
Houston battles the Minnesota Timberwolves, currently with a 36-25 mark (28-31-2 ATS). The OVER/UNDER records, important for totals betting, are 26-30-1 for the Rockets and 33-27-1 for the Timberwolves. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Houston vs Minnesota injuries news.
The Rockets sit at No. 1 in the current NBA Power Rankings here at OddsShark, while the Timberwolves are at No. 14 on that betting chart.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Houston's No. 2-ranked offense averaging 114.11 PPG, against a Minnesota defense that ranks No. 19 at 106.8 PPG. The Rockets' field-goal percentage has averaged 46.24% so far, less than the Timberwolves shooters have achieved on the year, 47.97% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Minnesota earned a 119-111 victory over Los Angeles on Thursday, getting 28 points from Taj Gibson at Target Center.
The Rockets got 28 points from James Harden as Houston ran past Sacramento 100-91 on Wednesday at Toyota Center.
- Minnesota is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games
- Minnesota is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games
- Houston is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Minnesota home to Chicago, Saturday, February 24
Houston at Denver, Sunday, February 25
