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The Minnesota Timberwolves will travel to Toyota Center to take on the Houston Rockets to open the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs. The Timberwolves opened as 11.5-point underdogs. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 216 points and it can be seen on TNT at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 15, 2018.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Houston Rockets Betting Odds

The Rockets have won all four matchups against the Timberwolves this year. The two teams combined to score 249 points in their most recent game, which was well over the projected point total of 223. Houston won 129-120, covering as a 7.5-point favorite. Getting to the free throw line was one of Houston’s largest strengths. They had 36 free throw attempts, while Minnesota had 26. James Harden recorded a double-double with 34 points and 12 assists.

Houston could dominate on the offensive side of the ball as their prolific offense squares off against one of the NBA’s worst defenses. The Rockets currently rank first in offensive efficiency, while Minnesota ranks 24th in defensive efficiency. Moreover, the Timberwolves rank fourth in offensive rebounding percentage (24.4 percent), while the Rockets rank third in defensive rebounding percentage (79.9 percent).

Of the Timberwolves’ 82 games, 45 have finished over the total. Minnesota heads into the game with records of 47-35 straight up (SU) and 38-41-3 against the spread (ATS).

Vegas has a tendency to place the total high when the Rockets are involved, as 47 of their 82 games have finished under the total. Further, Houston is 65-17 SU and 41-39-2 ATS.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Houston Rockets Pick

Prediction: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Timberwolves average 13.6 second chance points per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. The Rockets rank 10th in second chance points allowed per game (11.9).
  • Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (42.3) while Minnesota ranks last (22.5).
  • The Timberwolves average 17.7 points off turnovers per game, which ranks fourth in the league. The Rockets rank 14th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.8).
  • Houston ranks 16th in fast break points per game (11.4) while Minnesota ranks 25th (9.7).
  • Houston ranks fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.4) while Minnesota ranks 12th (4.7).
  • The Timberwolves rank fourth in points in the paint per game (49.2) while the Rockets rank 28th (40.7).
  • The Timberwolves rank 17th in assists per game (22.7) while the Rockets rank 25th (21.5).
  • Minnesota is third in the league with 41.8 rebounds allowed per game while Houston is fourth with 42.0 rebounds allowed per game.
  • Minnesota ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.5) while Houston ranks 11th (7.4).
  • Houston is 32-3 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Minnesota is 19-4.
  • The Rockets are 62-12 when they score over 100 points, while the Timberwolves are 44-22.
  • Houston is 17-23-1 ATS at home, while Minnesota is 17-22-2 ATS on the road.
  • The total has gone under in 22 of the Rockets’ 41 home games, while 21 of the Timberwolves’ 41 road games have gone over.

Betting Trends:

  • The Timberwolves are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Rockets are 1-4.
  • In their last five games, Minnesota has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Houston has 4 unders and 1 over.
  • During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 106.2 points per game (3.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 103.4 points per game (3.9 below their season average).
  • The Rockets average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.0, down from 8.5 for the season.