Rockets Urgently Seeking Victory, Battle Timberwolves
Round Three. Desperation Mode. Missing FVV.
On Thursday night, the Rockets limp into Minnesota for their third matchup with the Timberwolves. Houston and Minnesota have split the season series so far, with the road team winning both of the previous games in thrilling fashion. The Rockets enter this contest in a slump, riding a season-high four game losing streak. And Houston is coming off arguably their most heartbreaking loss of the season in game they gifted to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night. The Wolves are coming off a blowout win over the Chicago Bulls at home last night, so at least the Rockets will have the rest advantage tonight.
Anthony Edwards scored a career-high 49 points in Minnesota’s win last night, and he was huge factor in the Wolves win in Houston in the second meeting between these squads. Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks, Tari Eason, and other Rockets will need to keep Edwards from scoring 30 points. If Ant-Man reaches that mark, Minnesota’s usually victorious. Fred VanVleet remains out for tonight’s matchup, as he will miss his third straight game due to an ankle injury. Steven Adams is also listed as doubt for Houston entering this contest.
Despite their stunning loss in Brooklyn, there was a pinch of good news for the Rockets. After missing two games with a calf injury, Alperen Sengun returned to score 24 points and grab 20 rebounds in a dominant performance. Houston needs more players to step up tonight if they want to beat a Minnesota team that’s rising in the standings. The Wolves are currently in seventh place in the Western Conference, and only a half game behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the sixth spot.
Meanwhile, if Houston keeps losing, the Rockets are in jeopardy of falling from the third spot all the way to possibly even out of playoff contention. With 32 games remaining, there’s still a lot of basketball to be played. And the West is brutally competitive, with eleven, or twelve (if you count the San Antonio Spurs, who are on the fringe) teams battling for ten playoff or play-in spots.
Tonight will reveal the caliber of Houston’s mental toughness. The Rockets need to wash the previous game out of their memory, and move forward. As with most game during what’s been a very exciting season, expect another thrilling contest of Houston Rockets basketball tonight, as the squad aims to snap their losing streak against a rising conference foe.
Target Center: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (32-18): Red
Minnesota Timberwolves (28-23): Gray
Tip-Off: 7:00 PM CT
TV: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass