Timberwolves Try To Slow Rockets

Shooting guard James Harden of the Houston Rockets is one of the top candidates for the Most Valuable Player award this season. On Wednesday, he’ll lead the Rockets to Minnesota, where they’ll face the Timberwolves.

Harden is flourishing under head coach Mike D’Antoni, ranking third in the league in scoring, first in assists and is registering over eight rebounds per game. The Rockets are also lighting it up from three-point land, ranking sixth in long-distance shooting percentage, which has them second in the league in points scored behind Golden State.

The young Timberwolves are struggling, although they have a decent nucleus in Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine. They’ve had 16 close games, losing by 10 points or less. They’re also 16th in points allowed, which Minnesota would love to improve under defensive-minded head coach Tom Thibodeau.

The Rockets are 9-1 SU (eight straight wins) in their last 10 meetings with the Timberwolves, but only 4-6 ATS. The two met in Minnesota on December 17 with the Rockets pulling out an 111-109 overtime win. Harden posted 28 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds. Towns had 41 points, 16 boards and five assists for the Timberwolves.