The Houston Rockets will visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at the Target Center in Minneapolis, aiming to avoid their first back-to-back losses of the season. Houston (12-6) leads NBA Cup West Group A and hopes to bounce back from a tough 104-98 defeat to Portland. Meanwhile, Minnesota (8-8) seeks to regain momentum after two consecutive close road losses.
Houston Rockets Preview
The Rockets have been one of the Western Conference’s surprises this season, thanks to their depth and defensive tenacity. However, their half-court offense struggled in the loss to Portland, with head coach Ime Udoka pointing out the need for better execution against defensive switches. Alperen Şengün continues to impress, leading the team with 22 points and five rebounds in that game.
Jalen Green, averaging 18.7 points per game, and veteran Fred VanVleet will need to step up after a subpar showing against the Trail Blazers. VanVleet, recently fined $50,000 for his comments on officiating, will look to refocus on leading Houston’s backcourt. The Rockets must also improve their perimeter defense, which Udoka highlighted as a key area to address.
Minnesota Timberwolves Preview
After dropping two nail-biters on the road, the Timberwolves return to the Target Center, where they are 5-2 this season. Minnesota showed resilience in their 107-105 loss to Boston, with Anthony Edwards shining once again. Edwards leads the team with 27.9 points per game and is shooting an impressive 43.8% from three-point range.
Julius Randle has been a solid second option, averaging 21.8 points per game, while Rudy Gobert dominates the boards with 20 rebounds in their last outing. Head coach Chris Finch praised the team’s effort despite the recent losses, emphasizing the need to avoid early deficits and capitalize on their chemistry.
Key Matchups
The battle in the paint between Şengün and Gobert will be crucial. Şengün has been effective on both ends, but Gobert’s rebounding and interior defense could make the difference. On the perimeter, Edwards will challenge Houston’s defense, while the Rockets need Green and VanVleet to create opportunities against a disciplined Minnesota squad.
Prediction
Both teams are evenly matched, but Minnesota’s home-court advantage and defensive presence could tilt the game in their favor. Houston will need to execute better offensively to overcome a Timberwolves team eager to break out of its slump.
- Pick: Minnesota -3.5
- Score Prediction: Minnesota 112, Houston 106
The Rockets and Timberwolves tip off at 8:00 PM ET on November 26 at the Target Center. The game is a crucial NBA Cup West Group A matchup with playoff implications early in the season.
