Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction, NBA Odds
Anthony Edwards’s continued absence is coming at the worst time for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are losing ground in the Western Conference. Minnesota hosts one of the teams right ahead of it, the Houston Rockets, this evening at 9:30 p.m. ET.
The Timberwolves have gone 3-1 in the four games Edwards has been sidelined with right knee inflammation. He is not due back for another week. Bones Hyland had 23 points off the bench to lead the team in a 102-92 victory at the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Meanwhile, ageless wonder Kevin Durant continued his recent hot form with a season-high-tying 40 points, along with seven rebounds and five assists, as the Rockets lost their third straight road game on Monday to the Chicago Bulls, 102-94.
Rockets vs. Timberwolves NBA Betting Odds
The Rockets, who are just 17-19 against the spread on the road, are currently listed as 1.5-point favourites on the NBA odds, with a moneyline of -115. Minnesota, which is just 16-21 against the spread at home, is currently a -105 moneyline option.
The Over/Under sits at 224.5 points. Minnesota has only played to the Over 12 times in 37 home contests, cashing the Under in four of five games. Durant, 10th in the league in scoring at 25.9 points per game, is averaging 30.7 points in his last three contests.
Houston Rockets
Houston shot just 26.8 per cent (11-for-41) from three-point range in the loss to the Bulls. Even worse, they shot just 62.5 per cent (15-for-24) from the free-throw line. Those just aren’t numbers that they can post consistently and go deep in the playoffs.
Durant has kept the ship steady for the 43-win Rockets all season. The 16-time All-Star is in the midst of one of the best shooting performances of his career. He has shot 50 per cent or better in nine straight games, the third-longest streak of his career.
Houston, which lost veteran Steven Adams for the season two months ago and never had reserve guard Fred VanVleet, is relatively healthy.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Edwards is third in the league in scoring at 29.5 points per game, so yeah, his absence doesn’t help the Timberwolves. They are 3-1 without him, but he is still averaging 28.6 points in eight games in March, so getting him back is a top priority.
Ayo Dosunmu has been a valuable reserve since arriving from the Chicago Bulls in a trade last month. The fifth-year guard is averaging 13.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 17 games with Minnesota, but he is questionable tonight with calf soreness.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Rockets vs. Timberwolves?
Although Minnesota is 9-5 without Edwards this season, including 3-1 during his latest absence, look for the veteran scoring of Durant, the explosive athleticism of Amen Thompson (18.0 PPG, 7.8 REB, 5.2 AST.), and the steady dominance in the paint of Alperen Sengun (20.4 PPG, 9.2 REB, 6.2 AST.) to be the difference.
Both teams are middling with three weeks to play, going 5-5 in their last 10 games. Houston has dropped three straight on the road, where it is just 18-18 on the season. The Rockets need this one a little more and will take it, 114-109.
HOU
MIN