Minnesota (31-25) at Houston (34-21)
- When: Feb 21 2025, 9:30 PM
- Where: Toyota Center, Houston, TX, USA
- TV: SCHN
Game Preview
A crucial Western Conference showdown takes center stage Friday night as the Houston Rockets host the Minnesota Timberwolves. Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning, but injuries could play a major role in shaping the outcome of this game. Houston enters as slight home favorites, while Minnesota looks to continue its dominance in the head-to-head matchup.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Injury Woes and Road Challenge
Current Record: 36-16 (2nd in Western Conference)
The Timberwolves enter this matchup dealing with a laundry list of injuries, headlined by the uncertain status of star guard Anthony Edwards. The All-Star guard was a last-minute scratch from the All-Star Game due to groin tightness, and he remains questionable with hip soreness. Edwards, who is averaging a career-best 27.5 points per game, is the engine of Minnesota’s offense, and his availability will be a critical factor in this contest.
Adding to their concerns, Rudy Gobert (back) and Mike Conley (finger) are also listed as questionable, while Donte DiVincenzo (toe) and Julius Randle (groin) remain sidelined. This leaves major question marks surrounding the Timberwolves’ depth, as five of their top eight players could be out or playing at less than full strength.
Despite being short-handed, Minnesota entered the All-Star break on a high note with a 116-101 victory over conference-leading Oklahoma City. Naz Reid stepped up with 27 points and 14 rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels chipped in 21 points. Head coach Chris Finch emphasized the need for focus coming out of the break, especially with so many moving pieces in the lineup.
Key Betting Trends:
Minnesota is 2-1 against Houston this season.
The Wolves have won 12 of the last 14 meetings against the Rockets.
The under has hit in 5 of Minnesota’s last 7 games.
Houston Rockets: Looking to Reignite After Rough Stretch
Current Record: 29-23 (4th in Western Conference)
The Rockets stumbled into the All-Star break, losing seven of their last nine games. A 105-98 home loss to Golden State before the break exposed their struggles, particularly on offense. Head coach Ime Udoka acknowledged that his team looked physically and mentally drained, making the time off a much-needed reset.
Houston’s recent struggles have largely been due to the absence of Fred VanVleet, who has missed seven straight games with an ankle injury. The veteran point guard has been instrumental in organizing the Rockets’ offense, and his absence has left a noticeable void. Udoka has emphasized that VanVleet’s leadership and playmaking ability are crucial for the team’s success, and his status for this game remains uncertain.
Aaron Holiday stepped up in VanVleet’s absence, tying his career high with 25 points in the loss to the Warriors. However, without their floor general, Houston’s offense has lacked consistency.
Jalen Green leads the Rockets in scoring with 21.2 points per game, while Alperen Sengun has been a double-double machine, averaging 18.8 points and 10.5 rebounds. Sengun’s strong play earned him his first All-Star selection, and he will be a key factor in Houston’s ability to exploit Minnesota’s potential frontcourt issues if Gobert sits out.
Key Betting Trends:
Houston is 1-2 against Minnesota this season.
The Rockets have failed to cover in 6 of their last 8 games as a favorite.
The under has hit in 4 of Houston’s last 5 home games.
Betting Prediction & Final Score Pick
Injuries are the biggest factor in this game, with Minnesota potentially missing key players like Edwards and Gobert. If they are unable to go, Houston’s home-court advantage and offensive firepower could be the difference. However, Minnesota has historically had Houston’s number, winning 12 of the last 14 meetings.
If Edwards plays, this becomes a much closer game, but if he’s out, Houston should have the edge. Given the injury uncertainty, the under 218.5 looks like the best bet, as both teams could struggle to generate consistent offense.
Final Score Prediction: Houston 109, Minnesota 103
Best Bets:
Under 218.5 – Both teams dealing with offensive inconsistency, and Minnesota’s injuries make this a strong under spot.
Houston -3.5 – The Rockets should capitalize on Minnesota’s injury concerns and snap their recent slump.
Minnesota Team Total Under 108.5 – Without Edwards and Gobert, offense could be limited.
- NBA Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
