NBA Spreads: Houston Rockets at Minnesota Timberwolves
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Minnesota Timberwolves will look to end their struggles against Houston when they host the Rockets at the Target Center tonight. Houston has won 12 straight over the Timberwolves, including five straight in Minnesota.
That might be hard to do considering how the Timberwolves are playing right now. Minnesota lost 126-111 at Los Angeles last Wednesday. It was their eighth loss in their last nine games.
The Rockets went into the weekend with a three game winning streak, but first lost at Memphis 115-110 on Friday night, and then followed that up with a 118-104 loss at home to the Magic.
Despite how well the Rockets have played against the Timberwolves, our NBA spreads indicate that Houston is just 2.5-point favorites over the Timberwolves with the total sitting at 218.
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The Rockets had won back-to-back road games against the Celtics and the Hawks before losing to Memphis on Friday. Houston is 8-15 on the road this season, but figures to have a good chance of getting another win away from home tonight. The Rockets beat the Timberwolves 120-94 at home back on Nov. 7.
Houston never really had a chance against the Magic on Saturday, as they fell behind 17 points by the time halftime rolled around, and were down 22 after three quarters. Kevin Martin had 18 points but played just 26 minutes. Houston shot just 38.9% from the field.
The Rockets figure to have a much better night offensively, as the Timberwolves have allowed an average of 108.4 points a game this season. Martin had 21 points against Minnesota in the first game, and Luis Scola added 24 points and eight rebounds. The only problem for Houston is they haven’t been much better on defense lately, allowing 107 a game over their last two, and are playing their third game in the last four days.
Minnesota on the other hand ha had the last four days off, and should have a ton of energy when they step on the floor tonight. The Timberwolves should be able to take advantage of the their recent rest and really go after the Rockets in the second half.
Kevin Love had 26 points and 11 rebounds in the loss to the Clippers, and will go for his 30th straight double-double tonight. Love had 16 points and 16 rebounds against the Rockets earlier this season.
Michael Beasley also had a solid game against the Clippers with 21 points, but while Love and Beasley continue to play well offensively, Minnesota has been just awful defensively, and until they start clamping down on the defensive side of the ball, they are going to struggle to win games.
As bad as the Timberwolves have been playing, I think with the way the oddsmakers have set this line, they really think Minnesota has a great shot at winning this game. That four days off will really make a big difference, and I think you have to roll with the 2.5-points and take Timberwolves.
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