The Minnesota Timberwolves (15-22) head to Space City to play the Houston Rockets (25-12) at Toyota Center at 5 p.m. ET. We analyze Timberwolves-Rockets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGVIxK0x7i8&w=560&h=315]
Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.
Timberwolves at Rockets: Key injuries
Timberwolves
- C Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) questionable
- SF Jake Layman (toe) out
Rockets
- C Clint Capela (heel) questionable
- SG Gerald Green (foot) out
- C Nene Hilario (groin) out
Timberwolves at Rockets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 2:20 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Rockets 120, Timberwolves 113
Moneyline (ML)
It’s too tough to justify a moneyline wager on the Timberwolves (+450). They have an implied win probability of just 18%. Also, Rockets Gs James Harden and Russell Westbrook have owned the Timberwolves in their careers with a combined record of 57-17 against Minnesota. As enticing as the Timberwolves’ odds are, I recommend PASSING on the moneyline because the Timberwolves may be without their best player in Towns and have won just three of their last 10 games against the Rockets.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The TIMBERWOLVES (+11.5, -178) are worth backing on the spread, where they’ll need to stay within 11 points in a loss or win outright. Minnesota has covered the spread in five of the last six games overall and it is 4-2 straight up. The Timberwolves also perform better on the road—they are 9-11 on the road (compared to 6-11 at home) and 11-8-1 ATS in away games.
Houston has won three out of four games, while going just 2-2 ATS. In addition, the Rockets play down to weaker competition, they are 2-7 ATS when favored by double digits and 8-12 ATS against teams below .500. It’s very possible the Rockets grab a commanding lead, take their foot off the pedal and the Timberwolves make a late run for a backdoor cover.
Over/Under (O/U)
Both teams are good to great offensively, and bad to terrible defensively, leaning me toward Over 228.5 (-129). The Timberwolves rank 24th in opponent points per game and 11th in PPG for, while the Rockets are second in PPG and 23rd in opponent PPG.
Ultimately, I’m PASSING on the 228.5 total because Rockets actually defend well from 3-point land and the Timberwolves shoot poorly from distance. Houston ranks 13th in opponent 3-point percentage and the Timberwolves are 29th in 3-point%. Also, bookmakers tend to overprice game totals for the Rockets. Despite their potent offense, they’re just 16-21 against the Over/Under for the season.
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]