A pair of Western Conference teams that have been a pleasant surprise so far this season take the floor in search of a victory in the Lone Star State. The Minnesota Timberwolves are on the road as they travel to face the Houston Rockets Friday night. Minnesota was dropped by New Orleans at home, 117-106, in their previous contest Wednesday night, losing outright as a six-point favorite. Houston earned a 112-101 home win over Brooklyn Wednesday night in their previous contest, covering the line as a four-point favorite. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Rockets own an 83-50 advantage, including a 119-114 home win in the most recent matchup on January 23, 2023. That win snapped the Timberwolves’ seven-game win streak in the series.

Minnesota Timberwolves Trying to Build Northwest Division Edge

Minnesota suffered a second straight loss as they were taken down by New Orleans at home in their previous contest Wednesday night. The Timberwolves entered Thursday 24-9 on the season and held a one-game lead on the Thunder and Nuggets in the Northwest Division for the top spot. They held the top spot in the Western Conference playoff picture by that same one-game margin over the Thunder and Nuggets. Against New Orleans, Minnesota was down three after the opening quarter and was even early in the second quarter before giving up a 15-3 run to trail 47-35 with 3:58 to play in the first half. The Timberwolves never got closer than nine the rest of the way as New Orleans poured it on in the second half. Minnesota shot 45.1% from the field, including 10 of 31 from three-point range, and couldn’t overcome New Orleans shooting a scorching 55.6% in the contest. Anthony Edwards finished with 35 points to lead the Timberwolves in the victory.

For the year, Minnesota is 24th in the league in scoring offense with 112.8 points per game. The Timberwolves stand 16th in rebounding by pulling down 43.6 boards a contest while they are 20th in assists by handing out 25.7 dimes a contest. Minnesota has been above average on the defensive end of the floor as they are 1st in scoring defense by allowing 107.8 points per game. Anthony Edwards leads the team in scoring as he averages 26.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists per contest. Karl-Anthony Towns (21.4 points, 9.1 rebounds), Mike Conley (11.4 points, 6.2 assists), Rudy Gobert (12.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks) and Naz Reid (12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds) are decent secondary options on the offensive end of the floor. Jaden McDaniels (10.6 points), Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kyle Anderson, Shake Milton, Troy Brown Jr. and Jordan McLaughlin are part of the rotation. The Timberwolves are 7th in the league in field goal percentage as they hit 48.4% from the floor as a team. Minnesota is 22nd by splashing 12 three-pointers a night while the team is 5th in three-point shooting by hitting 38.1% from beyond the arc.

Clark (Achilles) is expected to be out until mid-February after suffering an injury while still at UCLA. Luka Garza (back) missed Wednesday’s game and is questionable here. Watch for any new information regarding his status.

Houston Rockets Looking to Close Gap in Southwest Division

Houston won their second straight game as they took down the Nets at home Wednesday night. The Rockets improved to 17-15 on the season and stand third in the Southwest Division, 2.5 games behind the Pelicans for the top spot. They were ninth in the Western Conference playoff picture, 7.5 games behind the Timberwolves for the top spot and 2.5 games behind New Orleans for the final guaranteed playoff spot. They were 1.5 games ahead of the Warriors to remain in the playoff picture. Against Brooklyn, Houston led by one after the opening quarter, trailed by one at the half and took the lead for good with a 17-3 run in the third quarter to erase a 62-57 deficit and turn it into a 74-65 lead with 5:04 remaining in the stanza. They led the rest of the way en route to the victory. Houston shot 48.7% from the field, including 19 of 39 from three-point range, and held Brooklyn to 38.7% shooting in the victory. Alperen Seguin led the Rockets with 30 points and eight rebounds in the victory.

The Rockets enter this contest 22nd in the league with 113 points per game on the season. Houston is 6th in rebounding by collecting 45.1 boards a night while they are 22nd in assists with 25.4 dimes per contest. The Rockets are 2nd in scoring defense as they give up an average of 109.6 points per game on the year. Alperen Seguin leads the team in scoring with 21.5 points, nine rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season. Jalen Green (17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds), Fred VanVleet (17.5 points, 8.6 assists), Dillon Brooks (13.6 points) and Jabari Smith Jr. (13.3 points) have been solid secondary scoring options in the early going. Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jeff Green, Jae’Sean Tate, Reggie Bullock, Jock Landale and Aaron Holiday have to contribute for coach Ime Udoka for the team to have success. Houston is 22nd in field goal percentage as they shoot 46.7% as a team from the floor. The Rockets are 17th in threes per game as they knock down 12.6 triples a night and stand 14th in three-point shooting by hitting 37% from beyond the arc.

Victor Oladipo (knee) remains out and has no timetable for return at this point. Brooks (oblique) last played on December 26 and is expected to be out a week or two. Eason (leg) missed Wednesday’s game and is questionable here. Keep an eye out for any new information as we get closer to tip-off.