Rockets Return Home, Host Hungry Wolves
Space City Beard. Last Spot Contender. Staying in the Hunt.
It’s James Harden Bobblehead night (or afternoon) this Saturday at Toyota Center as the Rockets host the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Beard’s been rusty from the field since the team’s rare four-day break in the schedule. In the two games since, Houston held on to beat Atlanta, but got pounded by a good Thunder team in Oklahoma City. Hopefully the Rockets will get back to themselves in the friendly confines of Toyota Center.
Minnesota is one of seven teams in the West competing for the final playoff spot. The Wolves have won three of their last four, and might be getting Karl-Anthony Towns back from injury this afternoon. Andrew Wiggins is having the best season of his career, and Houston will need to contain him regardless of Towns’ availability. Shabazz Napier is having a breakout season, and Robert Covington, a prospect Houston was rumored to be looking at in the offseason, has been a nice addition for the new-look Wolves. This game won’t be a cakewalk by any means. If Harden can’t find his shot, and the rest of Houston can’t carry the load, the Rockets will be in for a long afternoon.
This is an important game because Houston is now in the fifth seed out West. The red-hot Utah Jazz passed the Rockets for the fourth spot, and Houston is now tied in the loss column with the Clippers and Jazz, while only trialing second-seeded Denver by one game. Each matchup is huge, no matter the opponent. In four games, the Rockets will officially be at the halfway mark of the season, a point some squads have reached in the schedule. We’re getting closer to the playoffs, and while there’s still plenty of time in the season, and plenty of scores to be settled, Houston can’t afford to take any more opponents for granted. It’s a must-win today at Today Center for the Rockets. Hopefully, a little toy will bring some luck to Houston and the Beard.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Minnesota Timberwolves (15-22): Blue
Houston Rockets (25-12): “Space City” White
TV: 4 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW