Timberwolves at Rockets
THE STORY: The Houston Rockets haven't missed
star guard Kevin Martin in their last two games and it's questionable
whether Martin will be back in the lineup when the Rockets host the
Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. Martin was in the midst of a four-game
hot streak before being held out with a foot injury during Houston’s
last two victories. Martin averaged 29.3 points in the four games –
including 31 against the Timberwolves in Houston’s 107-92 victory on
Jan. 23 – and it’s a mystery whether he’ll return Monday. “We’ll cross
that bridge when we get there,” coach Kevin McHale said. The Rockets
have won nine of their last 10 games entering the game against the
improving Timberwolves, who already have nine wins after going 17-65
last season and 15-67 the previous season. Minnesota lost 106-101 to the
Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday despite 33 points and 13 rebounds from
Kevin Love. The Rockets had issues covering Love last week when the
Timberwolves’ forward had a season-high 39 points and hit all five of
his 3-point shots.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Houston
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (9-11):
Forward Michael Beasley asserted himself well with 18 points and 12
rebounds against the Lakers in his second game since returning from a
foot injury. Beasley played 30 minutes off the bench and was much more
active than he had been while scoring seven points in 21-plus minutes
against the San Antonio Spurs two nights earlier. Minnesota is eager to
see Beasley get rolling and his scoring ability – he averaged 19.2
points last season – will complement Love’s game and make the offense
more dangerous.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (12-8): Houston’s bench
scored a season-best 61 points in Saturday’s 97-84 victory over the New
York Knicks, one night after setting the previous season-high of 52
bench points against the Washington Wizards. Forward Chase Budinger
scored 40 points in the two games, and Houston’s bench is averaging 40.2
points over the past five outings. “Getting used to each other out
there on the court during games is what’s making us better,” Budinger
said. “We’re starting to get our chemistry down with one another.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Houston is 15-1 in its last 16 meetings with Minnesota.
2. Love is averaging 30.3 points and 12.8 rebounds over the last four games.
3.
Rockets guard Kyle Lowry had a triple-double with 16 points, 10
rebounds and 10 assists in last Monday’s win over the Timberwolves.