Vegas NBA Picks and Tips: Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets
Monday, January 30, 2012
Frank Martin
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.
- Minnesota Timberwolves @ Houston Rockets
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, January 30, 2012
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Houston
The Rockets have opened as 6.5-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NBA Basketball Odds.
Minnesota 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.
Houston 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.”
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.
NBA BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Rockets 106, Timberwolves 99
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chase budinger - houston rockets - kevin love - kevin martin - kevin mchale - kyle lowry - michael beasley - minnesota timberwolves - toyota center
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