ES 
NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Prediction 
Odds 
Last Recap 
Game Picks 
Top Handicapper 
Houston Rockets vs Minnesota Timberwolves December 27th 2024
At 8:00 ET, the 9th ranked Timberwolves (15-14) will be taking on the 2nd ranked Rockets (21-9) at the Toyota Center in Houston. The Rockets are currently favored by 1 and have a 4 game win streak.
This Western Conference matchup will be shown on SCHN.
Timberwolves vs. Rockets Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets
- Where: Houston at Toyota Center
- Date: Friday, December 27th
- Betting Odds HOU -1, MIN -102 | HOU -118 O/U 213.5
The Timberwolves Can Win If…
With a 105-99 win over the Mavericks on Wednesday, the Timberwolves moved to 15-14 on the season. Minnesota, who entered the game as +5 point underdogs, not only won but also covered the spread. The total points for the game were 204, falling short of the 222.5 O/U line.
Key to the Timberwolves’ win was a dominant 2nd quarter, where they outscored Dallas 31-16. They extended their lead in the 3rd, going into the 4th up 90-68. A 10-0 run by Dallas made things interesting, but Minnesota held on to secure the victory.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves to a win over the Mavericks, scoring 26 points and hitting 4 threes at 57.1% shooting from deep. Julius Randle added 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 threes at 60% from beyond the arc.
Your Free NBA Picks Await! See today’s NBA basketball picks against the spread and find your edge.
Minnesota made 14 threes as a team, shooting 43.8% from long range, though their overall field goal percentage was 46.5%. Rudy Gobert contributed 14 points on 85.7% shooting, while Donte DiVincenzo scored 9 of his 11 points in the 2nd quarter.
The Timberwolves put together a strong defensive performance on Wednesday, holding the Mavericks to just 99 points. Their best quarter came in the 2nd, where they allowed only 16 points. Overall, they kept Dallas to 41% shooting from the field.
Minnesota did give up 16 threes, with the Mavericks hitting 37% from deep. They also sent Dallas to the line 11 times, where they made all their free throws. The Timberwolves finished with 8 steals and 5 blocks.
- The Timberwolves are 3-2 ATS in their last road games and 3-2 straight-up.
- Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Minnesota has an ATS mark of 7-3 while going 6-4 straight up.
- Over their last five games, the Timberwolves have an over/under record of 1-4 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.
The Rockets Can Win If…
Houston improved to 21-9 on the season with a 128-111 road win over the Pelicans on Thursday. The Rockets, who were favored by 7 points, covered the spread, while the game’s total of 239 points went over the 221.5-point line.
A 12-0 run helped Houston take control early, as they went from trailing 26-20 to leading 32-26. They dominated the 1st quarter, outscoring New Orleans 39-22, and extended their lead by winning the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Heading into the 4th with a 102-74 lead, the Rockets let up a bit, losing the final quarter 37-26.
Jalen Green’s 30 points, including 16 in the 1st quarter, and 6 threes at 54.5% shooting helped the Rockets to a win over the Pelicans. Houston hit 18 threes at 38.3%, with Fred VanVleet adding 7 threes at 58.3% and finishing with 25 points, 15 of which came in the 3rd quarter.
The Stories Shaping The Industry
In Our News Section!
Cam Whitmore contributed 27 points, scoring 13 in the 4th quarter. The Rockets shot 47.4% from the field, with Green hitting 57.1% of his shots and Whitmore shooting 56.2%.
The Rockets put together a strong defensive effort in the 1st half, holding the Pelicans to 22 points in the 1st quarter and 21 in the 2nd. However, they struggled in the 4th, allowing 37 points, but still managed to secure the win. Overall, they gave up 111 points on 43% shooting from the field.
Houston limited New Orleans to 12 made threes on 32% shooting from beyond the arc. The Pelicans went 13/18 from the free-throw line. The Rockets also recorded 7 steals and 9 blocks in the game.
- In their last ten games at home, the Rockets have a straight up record of 6-4 while going 6-4 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 111 points per game in these contests.
- In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Rockets have a straight up record of 8-2 and an ATS mark of 6-4.
- In their last five games, the Rockets have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.
The Lean
For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Rockets to secure the win, with an expected final score of 134-124. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -1.
As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 213.5, and our model projects the Timberwolves and Rockets to reach a combined total of 258 points. Our bet is on taking the over.
Offense Clicking, Rockets Take on Low-Scoring Wolves
The Houston Rockets are riding high after completing a 3-0 road trip with a 128-111 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, extending their winning streak to four games. The Rockets return home on Friday to face the Minnesota Timberwolves, aiming to keep their offensive momentum alive.
Rockets Heating Up on Offense
Houston’s offense has been a revelation during their recent run. Over the last four games, the Rockets have shot 48.1 percent from the field, including an impressive 57.4 percent inside the arc. Known for their defensive prowess, the Rockets’ newfound offensive efficiency has made them a formidable opponent.
“We had the same looks against OKC in Las Vegas and missed those same looks,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “It would have been nice to have them that night against a team that loads up the paint and tries to make you prove it. Guys are shooting with confidence, putting in the work.”
Even with forwards Dillon Brooks (ankle) and Tari Eason (leg) sidelined, Houston has shown depth and adaptability. Against New Orleans, backcourt stars Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet combined for 55 points, while reserve Cam Whitmore added a career-high 27 off the bench.
Timberwolves Searching for Consistency
The Timberwolves have been a mixed bag this season, showing flashes of brilliance with a six-wins-in-seven-games stretch earlier in December, only to falter with a three-game skid shortly after. A 105-99 Christmas Day victory over the Dallas Mavericks helped Minnesota snap the losing streak, but their offense remains a work in progress.
Make better predictions with insights from our trusted betting guide.
Anthony Edwards has been the centerpiece for the Timberwolves, and his late-game heroics were crucial in fending off a Mavericks comeback after Minnesota nearly squandered a 28-point lead. Despite Edwards’ influence, the Timberwolves rank as a bottom-10 offense, and their ability to find cohesion has taken longer than expected following their offseason roster changes.
“We’ve got a good group of guys,” Edwards said. “It’s all about having patience. It’s a different team, so we’ve got to have patience to be able to get it together. Sometimes it looks good, sometimes it looks bad, and we’re still trying to figure it out.”
Key Matchup: Rockets’ Offense vs. Timberwolves’ Defense
The Rockets’ rejuvenated offense will test a Timberwolves defense that has struggled to contain opponents during its inconsistent stretch. Houston’s depth, combined with the backcourt scoring of Green and VanVleet, could pose problems for Minnesota’s defensive schemes.
Meanwhile, Edwards will need support from Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to keep pace with Houston. If Minnesota can’t find rhythm offensively, the Rockets may continue their winning ways, fueled by their hot shooting and home-court advantage.
