Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves game preview: start time, how to watch, TV, online, betting lines

After a disappointing loss to Portland Trail Blazersshould the Houston Rockets turn their attention to Minnesota Timberwolves. Tonight is also an NBA Cup game, and while I don’t fully understand the tiebreakers, Houston would go 3-0 in group play with a win, and the only other teams that could finish with 3 wins would be the Clippers and Blazers, team that Houston already beat in the Cup.

Still, this is a big test for Houston as they start a tough couple of weeks. After tonight’s contest, Houston flies to Philadelphia, where they 76ers is committed to getting Joel Embiid and Paul George back in time for Houston. The Rockets get three days off after that, which is nice. But after that comes an OKC team that will be favored even without Chet Holmgren, followed by a three-game road trip to California to take on the Kings, Warriors and Clippers. The schedule eases up a bit after that, but comes back with a vengeance around New Years.

Last season, the Timberwolves swept the season series with Houston 3-0. Two games were blowouts and in the third Houston pulled close late before Minny’s finishing kick was too much.

Minnesota presents their own challenges in Rudy Gobert on defense and Anthony Edwards on offense. When Ant isn’t carving up defenses, newly acquired Julius Randle and Donte DiVencenzo can do damage. Naz Reid had plenty of big moments last season, and Jaden McDaniels has the contract plan that Tari Eason is probably looking for (5 years, $136 million). And um, Eason will probably ask for more.

All of this is to say that if Houston can capture one of these two games on the back-to-back, they should be doing pretty well. On paper, the Sixers game seems like the easiest hill to climb, but the aforementioned impending return of two superstars combined with the fact that Houston will be on a back-to-back while Philly will have had two days off makes for a solid schedule losses even with Embiid and George.

We’re in the Playback Room tonight, so you should come and join us to watch the Rockets and talk about the game. Remember, we get a handful of VIP passes that we give out to everyone who wants to watch the game. No League Pass required!

Tip off

7:00 p.m. CT

That’s how you see

Space City Home Network and Playback TV

Damage report

Rockets

Steven Adams: DTD

Timberwolves

Mike Conley: GTD

The Line (from this post)

MIN -3.5

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We look forward because we can

Tomorrow night at the Philadelphia 76ers