Despite hardly clicking on all cylinders, the Western Conference top-seeded Houston Rockets won both games at home against the No. 8 Minnesota Timberwolves. Now the series shifts venues as the Twin Cities welcome postseason basketball for the first time in 14 years for this NBA matchup on Saturday.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Timberwolves aren’t winning this series against the Rockets (barring major injury), but it should be rather raucous at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Saturday because it’s the first home playoff game for the franchise since Minnesota won Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals on May 29, 2004, vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. How long ago was that? The Lakers had Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone and Gary Payton on that squad. The Timberwolves had the likes of Kevin Garnett, Latrell Sprewell, Michael Olowokandi and Wally Szczerbiak. L.A. would clinch the series at home two days later. That remains the only time in franchise history the Timberwolves advanced past the first round.

With Houston up 2-0, it is now -10000 on the Sports Interaction series line with Minnesota at +1200. The Rockets are +100 second-favorites to win the West and +160 to win the NBA title, both behind Golden State.

The Rockets were 2-0 in Minneapolis this season. They won 126-108 on Feb. 13 behind 34 points, 12 assists and six rebounds from James Harden. Karl-Anthony Towns had 35 points and 12 rebounds in the loss. Canadian Andrew Wiggins was just 2-for-14 for seven points. On March 18, the Rockets prevailed 129-120. Harden had 34 points and 12 assists again. Jeff Teague led Minnesota with 23 points, and Wiggins had 21. Jimmy Butler was out injured.

Houston Rockets

The Rockets had the best record in the NBA this season but haven’t looked like the league’s best team in the postseason. No one but Harden could make a 3-pointer in a close Game 1 win. In Wednesday’s 102-82 victory, Harden had maybe his worst game of the year in shooting 2-for-18 (1-for-10 from deep) for 12 points. His 11.1 per cent overall shooting tied for the worst percentage he’s had in any game regular season or playoffs since coming to Houston. Chris Paul, though, atoned for a subpar Game 1 with 27 points and eight assists. Gerald Green was huge off the bench with 21 points and 12 rebounds. He was largely a non-factor in Game 1. Houston, which shattered NBA records during the season for 3-pointers attempted and made, set an NBA postseason record with 52 such attempts in Game 2. The Rockets made only 16.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The big story of Minnesota’s close loss in Game 1 was that the Wolves nearly pulled the upset despite just eight points from Towns, a Top 10 talent in the NBA. The company line was that the Wolves would get Towns more involved and he would be more aggressive in Game 2. Uh, not so much. Towns again attempted nine shots and this time made only two, finishing with five points. That’s flat-out stunning. Towns had two single-digit scoring games in the regular season and now two in his first postseason. Wiggins was solid in Game 2 with 13 points and eight rebounds but 0-for-3 from deep. The Wolves totaled a scant five made 3-pointers, and you simply don’t win in the modern-day NBA that way.

Injuries

Houston

PJ Tucker (SF)

Prob Wed Knee - 24 / 04 / 18

Trevor Ariza (SF)

Out Wed Rest - 11 / 04 / 18

Clint Capela (C)

Prob Sun Hand - 11 / 04 / 18

Eric Gordon (SG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 11 / 04 / 18

Luc Mbah a Moute (PF)

Prob Sun Shoulder - 11 / 04 / 18

Nene (C)

Out Wed Rest - 11 / 04 / 18

Chris Paul (PG)

Out Wed Rest - 11 / 04 / 18

Tarik Black (PF)

Ques Tues Back - 06 / 04 / 18

Ryan Anderson (PF)

Prob Sat Ankle - 03 / 04 / 18

Gerald Green (SG)

day-to-day Leg - 01 / 04 / 18

Minnesota

Jeff Teague (PG)

Prob Wed Finger - 24 / 04 / 18

Tyus Jones (PG)

Prob Wed Knee - 23 / 04 / 18

Taj Gibson (PF)

Prob Sun Neck - 15 / 04 / 18

Derrick Rose (PG)

Prob Fri Ankle - 06 / 04 / 18

Justin Patton (C)

out for season Foot - 04 / 04 / 18

Cole Aldrich (C)

Ques Mon Illness - 26 / 03 / 18

Shabazz Muhammad (SG)

Out Fri Coach's Decision - 01 / 03 / 18

Aaron Brooks (PG)

Out indefinitely Personal - 01 / 03 / 18

Marcus Georges-Hunt (SG)

Ques Fri Illness - 07 / 02 / 18

Jamal Crawford (SG)

Prob Thurs Toe - 25 / 01 / 18

Injuries

Houston

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
PJ Tucker (SF)	Prob Wed	Knee - 24 / 04 / 18	8-5	5-8	+ -
Tucker is expected to suit up against the Timberwolves for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round despite a left knee injury.
Trevor Ariza (SF)	Out Wed	Rest - 11 / 04 / 18	9-10	6-13	+ -
Ariza will not be available against the Kings on Wednesday as he will be given the night off to rest.
Clint Capela (C)	Prob Sun	Hand - 11 / 04 / 18	9-10	6-13	+ -
Capela is battling a hand injury but is likely to be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Timberwolves.
Eric Gordon (SG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 11 / 04 / 18	9-10	6-13	+ -
Gordon has soreness in his left ankle but is expected to suit up against the Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Luc Mbah a Moute (PF)	Prob Sun	Shoulder - 11 / 04 / 18	9-10	6-13	+ -
Mbah a Moute is recovering from a dislocated right shoulder but is expected to return for Game 1 of the Western Conference second round against the Jazz.
Nene (C)	Out Wed	Rest - 11 / 04 / 18	9-10	6-13	+ -
Nene will receive a day of rest and will not partake in Wednesday's game against the Kings.
Chris Paul (PG)	Out Wed	Rest - 11 / 04 / 18	9-10	6-13	+ -
Paul will not participate in Wednesday's game against the Kings due to a day of rest.
Tarik Black (PF)	Ques Tues	Back - 06 / 04 / 18	9-11	6-14	+ -
Black sat out the last game with a stiff lower back and it is unclear if he will play against the Lakers on Tuesday.
Ryan Anderson (PF)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 03 / 04 / 18	10-12	7-15	+ -
Anderson is recovering from a left ankle sprain but is expected to play in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round against the Timberwolves.
Gerald Green (SG)	day-to-day	Leg - 01 / 04 / 18	10-13	7-16	+ -
Green exited the previous game due to a left leg injury and it is unknown if he will return.

Minnesota

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Jeff Teague (PG)	Prob Wed	Finger - 24 / 04 / 18	0-1	1-0	+ -
Teague is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets despite a dislocated finger.
Tyus Jones (PG)	Prob Wed	Knee - 23 / 04 / 18	1-1	2-0	+ -
Jones is hampered by soreness in his right knee but is likely to play against the Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Taj Gibson (PF)	Prob Sun	Neck - 15 / 04 / 18	3-2	3-2	+ -
Gibson is expected to play against the Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets despite a neck injury.
Derrick Rose (PG)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 06 / 04 / 18	6-3	4-5	+ -
Rose is battling an ankle injury but is expected to be available for Friday's game against the Lakers.
Justin Patton (C)	out for season	Foot - 04 / 04 / 18	6-3	4-5	+ -
Patton had surgery on his left foot to repair a fractured metatarsal and is likely to miss the remainder of the season.
Cole Aldrich (C)	Ques Mon	Illness - 26 / 03 / 18	6-6	6-7	+ -
Aldrich is battling an illness and it is uncertain if he will be available against the Grizzlies on Monday.
Shabazz Muhammad (SG)	Out Fri	Coach's Decision - 01 / 03 / 18	10-12	13-10	+ -
Muhammad will not be available Friday against the Jazz as he works with the team toward a buyout.
Aaron Brooks (PG)	Out indefinitely	Personal - 01 / 03 / 18	10-12	13-10	+ -
Brooks has been sidelined due to a personal matter and it is uncertain when he will return.
Marcus Georges-Hunt (SG)	Ques Fri	Illness - 07 / 02 / 18	12-18	20-11	+ -
Georges-Hunt has missed the last five games with an illness and his availability for Friday against the Rockets is uncertain.
Jamal Crawford (SG)	Prob Thurs	Toe - 25 / 01 / 18	16-21	23-15	+ -
Crawford is expected to be on the court for Thursday's game against the Warriors despite an injured toe.

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