The NBA Global Games resume this coming Wednesday as the Houston Rockets and the Minnesota Timberwolves square off in a showdown at Mexico City. The Rockets are looking for a pick-me-up win after suffering their first defeat of the season against the Warriors last Saturday.
They will face a Wolves side that is still reeling from the news that their star point guard, Ricky Rubio, will be out for seven to eight weeks because of a severely sprained ankle. With Rubio out, can the Wolves still pull off the upset? Or will the Rockets drive home the advantage and continue their strong start to the season?
Read on below for a preview of this matchup. If you’re looking for other sports action, though, you can check out our complete NFL Week 11 picks.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
Where: Mexico City Arena, Mexico
When: Wednesday, November 12, 2014, 10:00 PM ET
Line: Houston Rockets (-6.5) at Minnesota Timberwolves (+6.5); total: 199.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Houston Rockets
The Rockets will look to return to winning ways after having their six-game winning run snapped on Saturday by the streaking Golden State Warriors. They had no answer for Warriors gunner Stephen Curry who exploded for 34 points and 10 rebounds in an all-around performance that sent Golden State to their first 5-0 start in 20 years.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Meanwhile, it’s back to the drawing board for head coach Kevin McHale as he prepares his troops for their meeting against the Minnesota Timberwolves this coming Wednesday. Fortunately for McHale, All-Star center Dwight Howard will return to the lineup after missing the Rockets’ last game because of the flu.
His absence last time out left a huge hole in the middle for the Rockets who were also missing the services of power forward Terrence Jones who was out because of a leg injury. Their absence contributed to the Rockets being outscored by the guard-heavy Warriors 56-32 inside the paint.
Howard’s comeback can’t come soon enough as they’ll face a Wolves side that is sixth in the NBA in rebounding this season with an average of 45 boards a game. Led by center Nikola Pekovic, the Wolves have dominated their opponents, especially on the offensive glass where they have grabbed an average of 13.5 rebounds per game, second-best in the NBA.
With the Wolves patrolling the shaded lane, the Rockets will need to get their perimeter shooting going. Houston leads the league in three-point shots made this season with an average of 13.0 a game. However, they were cold from the outside in the game against the Warriors, going just 10 of 42 for a horrendous 23.8 percent clip.
Most of those attempts came without proper ball movement. They will need to replicate what they did against Miami a week ago where they were able to generate lots of open shots because of their effective drive and kick plays. Having Howard back will help Houston in that regard as his presence inside will provide the Rockets with the necessary spacing on the offensive end.
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Betting on the Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves made history on Saturday night as they became the first team in nine years to start two teenagers in the same game. Unfortunately for Zach Lavine and Andrew Wiggins, the occasion was just too much for them as the Miami Heat ran riot in a convincing 102-92 victory.
The Wolves will need to get used to LaVine as their starting point guard, though, as it is confirmed that Rubio will be out for seven to eight weeks because of a badly sprained left ankle. That is a bitter blow for the Wolves who will miss Rubio’s presence especially on the offensive end. The Spanish star was averaging 9.4 points and 10.0 assists per game prior to his injury.
LaVine had a decent outing in his first career start, scoring five points on 2-for-5 shooting with six assists and just two turnovers in 26 minutes. He will be severely tested, though, against Houston this coming Wednesday as the Rockets are sixth in the NBA in steals this season with a 9.1 average.
That’s where veteran journeyman Mo Williams comes into play. The 31-year-old’s experience will be vital for the Wolves as they try to maneuver through this rough patch. Williams has struggled from the field though in the last two games that Rubio has missed, going 2 of 12 for a total of just six points.
With their backcourt currently depleted, the Wolves will have no other alternative but to go with their advantage down low. Nikola Pekovic has been a beast for Minnesota this season averaging 15 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. In their two victories, however, his numbers on the rebounding end rose to 10.5 per outing. It’s highly important that Pekovic and the rest of the Wolves control the boards against the Rockets.
That will also help Minnesota in dictating the tempo of the match. The Rockets are known to be a run-and-gun team with Houston averaging 16.4 fast break points per game this season, fourth-best in the NBA. It’s crucial for the Wolves to set the tone early. They need to use their advantage down low in order for them to grab the shock victory.
Writer’s Prediction
The Rockets (-6.5) roll past the Wolves and beat them by double-digits.
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