Timberwolves vs. Rockets Preview: Minnesota looks to keep the Christmas cheer

On December 28, 2024By Littum

Minnesota Timberwolves on Houston Rockets
Date: 27 December 2024
Time: 19:00 CST
Location: Toyota Center
TV coverage: FanDual Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Deep in the Heart of Texas: Wolves Look for Redemption in Houston

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and for Minnesota Timberwolvesthe stakes couldn’t be higher. After a much-needed Christmas Day win against Dallas Mavericks-a victory sweeter than your grandmother’s holiday fudge – the Wolves head to Houston tomorrow night, ready to avenge their NBA Cup loss in late November. That game, if you remember, had it all: drama, grit, a Rob Dillingham explosion and ultimately heartbreak in overtime. This time, the Wolves are looking to rewrite the script and close out their 2024 Texas two-step on a high note.

Merry Christmas, but don’t get complacent

The Wolves’ win over Dallas wasn’t just another game—it felt like a potential turning point. Anthony Edwards played like the superstar we know he can be, hitting clutch buckets down the stretch. The defense was active, Rudy Gobert owned the paint, and Julius Randle’s bully ball came through when it mattered most. It was by no means a perfect match. The first ten minutes of the fourth quarter almost gave me an aneurysm, but it was enough to knock off the Mavs on their home court. This is no small feat.

But – and this is big but– One win doesn’t solve everything. The Wolves have been insanely inconsistent this season. For every defensive lockdown showing, there has been a head-scratching collapse. For every offensive outburst, there’s a six-minute scoring drought that makes us all wonder if the team has forgotten how to play basketball. Houston will require 48 minutes of effort, not 36, not 42. The Wolves can’t afford to take their foot off the gas, especially against a Houston Rockets team that sits comfortably near the top of the Western Conference standings at 20-9.

The tale of the revenge game

Let’s rewind to the end of November. The Wolves met Houston in an NBA Cup game. After the game looked good for Houston, Rob Dillingham exploded off the bench to pull Minnesota back into contention. It was electric, it was thrilling and it was ultimately heartbreaking as the Rockets pulled away in overtime to crush Wolves’ Cup dreams. Now, with both teams jockeying for position in a stacked Western Conference, the stakes feel just as high—even if there’s no shiny trophy on the line.

Keys to the game: Taming the Rockets

1. Squeeze down on the backcourt

Even without Dillon Brooks (who might return tomorrow), the Rockets’ guards are a handful. Fred VanVleet is a steady force, and Jalen Green can light up the scoreboard in a hurry. The Wolves wing defenders – Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Anthony Edwards – must bring the same defensive intensity they showed against Dallas.

2. Control the paint

Rudy Gobert and Alperen Şengün are a matchup that could swing this game. Şengün has been a revelation for Houston with his crafty post moves and sneaky passes. But Rudy just handled Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively, so he should be well prepared for another fight down the stretch. The Wolves’ bigs—Gobert, Naz and Randle—must protect the rim and dominate the boards to prevent Houston from getting easy second-chance points.

3. Attack Houston’s legs

Here’s where planning works in Minnesota’s favor. The Rockets are on the road tonight against the Pelicans, while the Wolves have a rest day after their Christmas Day win. In the fourth quarter, tired legs could catch up with Houston. This is where Ant has to go full-on beast mode, relentlessly attacking the rim and making the Rockets work on defense. The more the Wolves can wear down the Rockets, the better their chances.

4. Creative setups

Chris Finch, this one’s for you. The Wolves starting five may be their best players on paper, but they haven’t always been their best lineup on the field. Finch will have to mix and match to find the combinations that work, especially if the offense starts sputtering. Rob Dillingham sparked the Wolves last time out against Houston – could he do it again? Either way, Finch needs to remain flexible and not let the game slip away due to stagnant line-ups.

Why this game matters

Let’s not leave it at that: this is a huge opportunity for the Wolves. They are in a three-way tie for the eighth seed with Phoenix and Golden State. A win in Houston puts them at 16-14, which would be just four games behind the Rockets for the second seed. Yes, four games. It’s a Christmas miracle when you consider how many winnable games the Wolves have thrown away this season.

A loss, however, and the Wolves risk slipping further into the dreaded play-in territory, where one bad night can end your season. With games against San Antonio and OKC closing in on 2024, Minnesota needs to build momentum now.

Final Thoughts: The Gift of Redemption

This is the part of the season where good teams separate themselves from the pack. The Wolves have the talent to be one of those teams. They have shown flashes of brilliance. They have locked down defensively. They have hit big shots in big moments. But they’ve also been maddeningly inconsistent.

A win in Houston would send a message: The Wolves are back. That would erase some of the sting of that NBA Cup loss and show that this team has learned how to close out big games. And it would give Wolves fans something to cheer about heading into the new year.

So here’s hoping the Wolves keep the holiday spirit alive, bring the effort for all 48 minutes and light the Rockets up like a Christmas tree. Because let’s face it – after this season’s ups and downs, we could all use a little cheer.