Rockets at Timberwolves
THE STORY: The Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves will meet for the third time in 12 days when they square off in Minnesota on Saturday. Houston won the first matchup of the season between the clubs 107-92 at Target Center on Jan. 23. Minnesota answered Monday in Houston with a convincing 120-108 win. After Saturday’s tilt, the teams won’t meet until the season series finale at Houston on Feb. 17. Rockets shooting guard Kevin Martin is averaging 30 points per game against the Wolves this season. He had 31 points on Jan. 23 and 29 coming off a foot injury on Monday. Houston has won its last eight trips to Target Center and 15 of its past 17 matchups overall with Minnesota.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN (Houston)
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (13-10): The Rockets begin a daunting six-game road trip with stops in Denver, Portland, Phoenix, Golden State and Memphis after Saturday’s contest with the Timberwolves. Houston is just 3-7 on the road this season. Point guard Kyle Lowry is the only player in the NBA who is averaging at least 14 points, six rebounds, eight assists and two steals per game. He leads all guards in rebounding with 6.3 per contest. The Rockets have outrebounded opponents on the offensive glass by an average of five rebounds over the last three games. Those offensive rebounds have resulted in Houston scoring nearly seven more second-chance points per game than its foes during that span.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (11-12): Minnesota hasn’t been .500 this late in a season since it was 22-22 on Jan. 30, 2007. If the Timberwolves want to get over .500 this season, they’ll have to start playing better at home. Minnesota is 5-8 at Target Center this season. By comparison, the Timberwolves have been astonishingly solid on the road. They earned their sixth road win Friday over New Jersey, surpassing their total from each of the past two seasons.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Houston leads the all-time series 57-35.
2. The Rockets can record their fourth consecutive sweep of a back-to-back set with a victory.
3. Minnesota has failed in four previous attempts at a .500 record this season.