Rockets vs. Timberwolves Pre-Game 1/23/23

Rockets Hope to End Skid as Wolves Come to Town

Part 2.    Slowing Ant.    3 in 4.

The Rockets return home to Toyota Center to face the team that beat them on Saturday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves. Houston enters this game skidding on a 13 game losing streak. Meanwhile, the Wolves, winners of 8 of their last 11 games, are headed in the opposite direction. This is the second part of the home and home between these teams. It’s hard to beat a team twice in the NBA, so hopefully the Rockets learned some lessons from Saturday night’s loss.

If Houston wants any chance to win the rematch on Monday night, they’ll have to do a better job on Anthony Edwards defensively. Edwards exploded for 44 points on Saturday night, and fueled Minnesota to the comeback victory. The Rockets need to hold the “Ant-Man” below 30 points. If Edwards goes off for another 30 or 40-point performance, Houston is likely staring at another loss. Expect Alperen Sengun to get ample opportunities once again, although he should receive even more shots on offense. Sengun was extremely efficient, but only took 11 shots on Saturday night. If the Rockets want to take advantage of a hobbled Minnesota team inside, they need to give Sengun more opportunities in the paint. With Kevin Porter Jr. still out with an injury, the offense should be run through Alperen Sengun. The big man has shown he’s the best passer on the team, and usually makes the right decision.

Monday night’s game is the first of three home games in four night for the Rockets. Houston plays a back-to-back at Toyota Center on Wednesday and Thursday against the Wizards and Cavaliers respectively. Hopefully some home cooking can break this losing streak, which has now reached an unlucky 13 games. The Rockets have seemingly ran out of gas in the third or fourth quarter in each of their past six games. Houston’s had the lead, or a legitimate chance to win all six contests, but their struggles to put four consistent quarters of efficient basketball together have kept victory at bay for the Rockets. Eventually this skid will end. The squad is too talented to continue to lose every single game. Will tonight be the night that some luck falls on their side? Tune in to find out.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Minnesota Timberwolves (24-24):  Blue

Houston Rockets (10-36):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass