The Houston Rockets (11-11) will travel to the Target Center to challenge the Minnesota Timberwolves (11-12). The Rockets opened as 1.5-point favorites. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 220.5 points and it can be seen on ATTSN Southwest at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, December 3, 2018.
Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Odds
In the Rockets’ last outing, they were victorious over the Chicago Bulls, 121-105, covering as 13-point favorites. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, were beaten by the Boston Celtics, 118-109, and were not able to cover as 1.5-point underdogs. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Houston game went 8 points over the projected point total of 218, while the Minnesota game went 11 points over the projected point total of 216.
Houston played a nearly flawless game. They had a solid effective field goal percentage of 0.595 (above their season average of 0.532) and a free throw rate of 0.250 (above their season average of 0.207). Chicago recorded marks of 0.489 and 0.216, respectively, for those same stats. Minnesota, on the other hand, did an excellent job of getting to and converting from the free throw line (26-32; 81.3 percent). Minnesota’s Robert Covington played well, recording 17 points and 10 rebounds. Houston, meanwhile, received a boost from Clint Capela, who put up 18 points and 15 rebounds.
The Rockets edged out the Timberwolves in this series last year, securing victories in eight out of nine games. In the most recent game, Houston won 122-104. The Rockets’ 4.0 turnover percentage was their largest strength over the Timberwolves, who had a rate of 8.4. This is the first time these teams will battle this year.
Oddsmakers have a tendency to place the total low when the Rockets are involved, as 14 of their 22 games have gone over the total. Houston comes into the game with records of 11-11 straight up (SU) and 9-13 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Houston, Timberwolves games tend to go under the O/U total (65.2 percent). Moreover, Minnesota is 11-12 SU and 12-11 ATS.
James Harden and Eric Gordon have played at a high level over the last five games for Houston. Harden has averaged 35 points,12.2 assists,6.4 rebounds,2.0 steals per game, while Gordon has recorded 24 points a game during that span.
Houston may have a difficult time creating turnovers. Minnesota ranks fifth in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.9 percent), while Houston forces the 15th-most turnovers (14.2 percent).
Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Rockets rank 3 in fast break points allowed per game (10.5) while the Timberwolves rank 11 (13.043478260869565).
- Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (42.5) while Minnesota ranks 23rd in three pointers allowed per game (33.7).
- The Timberwolves rank second in steals allowed per game (6.5) while the Rockets rank 19th (8.0).
- Houston ranks fifth in blocks per game (6.0) while Minnesota ranks 17th (5.4).
- Minnesota ranks 15 in points in the paint per game (47.04347826086956) while Houston ranks 24 in points allowed in the paint per game (50.45454545454545).
- The Rockets rank third in assists allowed per game (21.4) while the Timberwolves rank 24th (25.4).
- The Timberwolves average 14.869565217391305 second chance points per game, which ranks 6 in the NBA. The Rockets rank 16 in second chance points allowed per game (13.681818181818182).
- Minnesota ranks 15 in points off turnovers per game (16.956521739130434) while Houston ranks 16 in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.045454545454547).
- Houston ranks seventh in rebounds allowed per game (42.8) while Minnesota ranks 26th (47.0).
- In games where they allow less than 100 points, Houston is 4-2 and Minnesota is 5-0.
- When scoring over 100 points, the Timberwolves are 11-8 and the Rockets are 9-7.
- Minnesota is 8-5 ATS at home, while Houston is 5-7 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 7 of the Rockets’ 12 road games, while 7 of the Timberwolves’ 13 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Timberwolves are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Rockets are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Minnesota has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Houston has 5 overs.
- During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 112.4 points per game (2.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 100.0 points per game (10.5 below their season average).
- The Rockets\u2019 average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.8, up from 0.3 for the season.
