The Houston Rockets will finish up a four-game homestand at Toyota Center when Minnesota visits on Sunday night. If you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We have the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as all the information you need to make the best bets at Tipico Sportsbook.
The Rockets-Timberwolves game tips at 6 p.m. CDT and can be viewed or streamed via AT&T SportsNet Southwest and NBA League Pass.
Sunday’s game features a showdown between two rising stars in Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2020 NBA draft, and Rockets rookie Jalen Green, taken at No. 2 overall in 2021.
With four games left to play in the 2021-22 regular season, Edwards and the Timberwolves (46-32) are only two games behind Denver for the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference, which is the last spot to guarantee a playoff berth without having to go through the play-in tournament.
Thus, Minnesota enters with plenty of incentive to win in Houston. By contrast, the Rockets (20-58) arguably have incentive to lose on Sunday, since they are currently tied with Orlando for the league’s worst record and the No. 1 positioning slot in the 2022 NBA draft race.
Lottery Race Update: Reminding Houston it was time to go down, a courageous fan sapped the Rockets momentum as the come-from-ahead defeat keeps them in a full share of control. Standings:
1. Orlando 20-58
1. Houston 20-58
3. Detroit 22-56
4. OKC 22-55
5. Indiana 25-53— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 2, 2022
Yet, in Minnesota, Green and the Rockets may see a template they wouldn’t mind replicating over the coming weeks and months. The Timberwolves, who had the NBA’s worst record for much of last season, finished that season (relatively) strong with seven wins in their last 12 games. From there, they carried that momentum into the next season, which appears likely to end with a spot in the 2022 NBA playoffs.
In particular, Edwards was arguably the biggest catalyst for Minnesota’s turnaround. After struggling with inefficiency during the first half of his rookie year, Edwards finished with a flourish, and he currently is on the verge of being one of the NBA’s top 20 scorers this season.
That same type of surge is evident in Green’s performances over the past two months, and especially within the last five games. In that span, the 20-year-old is averaging 28.6 points (45.3% on 3-pointers), 4.6 rebounds, and only 1.0 turnovers in 35.2 minutes. Houston is hoping that type of strong finish catapults him into stardom by the 2022-23 season.
Jalen Green:
3rd rookie to have scored 30+ points in 3 straight games going back to 1997-98
Joins Bernard King as the only rookies to have scored 90+ points with 3 or fewer turnovers over a 3-game span
Over his past 5 games played he is averaging 5.8 3FGM on 45.3% shooting
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) April 2, 2022
