Timberwolves at Rockets
The Minnesota Timberwolves look to halt a 13-game losing streak in Houston when they visit the Rockets. Minnesota hasn't departed Houston with a victory since recording a 111-98 win on Feb. 17, 2012, when former star Kevin Love had 33 points and 17 rebounds.
The Rockets averaged 131.7 points while beating the Timberwolves in each of the first three meetings and look to continue the assault in the series finale. However, Houston has matched its season worst of four straight losses after being routed 126-106 at home by the Orlando Magic on Sunday. "We're not really worried, just frustrated," Rockets All-Star guard James Harden said after the setback. "It seems like it's just all going bad, but the way you get out of it is to keep pushing through, keep fighting through and the tide will turn around and we'll make a turnaround." Minnesota dropped a 120-107 home decision to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday and lost 16 of its last 22 games.
TIME: 8 p.m. ET. TV: FS North, AT&T SportsNet Southwest
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (19-44): Minnesota owns the second-worst record in the Western Conference and things could get bleaker with Tuesday's contest being the first of a six-game road excursion. Shooting guard Malik Beasley scored 21 points against New Orleans for his ninth 20-point performance in 13 games since being acquired from the Denver Nuggets but point guard D'Angelo Russell (19 points) was just 6-of-18 from the field and is 28-of-85 over the past five games. "It's a part of the game," Russell told reporters. "Just let it go, and I'll be all right."
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (39-24): Houston trailed Orlando by 25 points at halftime one day after seeing the Charlotte Hornets score the game's first 20 points in their 108-99 home victory. "We will get through this and we will be good on the other side," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters. "So hopefully this is rock bottom. I don't know that, but if it gets much worse it will not be pretty." Point guard Russell Westbrook scored 24 points against the Magic and tallied at least 20 in each of his past 33 appearances.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Rockets have won 22 of the past 26 meetings.
2. Minnesota SF Kelan Martin (ankle) will likely miss his second consecutive contest.
3. Houston SG Eric Gordon (knee) could sit out for the third straight game.