The visiting Timberwolves hope to send their backers to the pay window on Friday as they look to cover the spread at Toyota Center against the Rockets.

The Rockets currently sports a record of 17-13, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 17-13 ATS. The Timberwolves are 14-16 and 16-14 ATS. Betting totals have seen the Rockets post a 10-20 OVER/UNDER record this season, while the Timberwolves have gone 13-16-1 against the number.



View Minnesota vs Houston Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The visitors opened as 6-point underdogs in this one at most sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark, while the total was hovering around 199 at most shops.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Rockets - Timberwolves odds would favor the Timberwolves if the lines were set according to power ranks. Houston is rated No. 14 in our latest Odds Shark poll, while the Timberwolves sit at No. 10. Math models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 98-97 win for the Rockets.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Houston's No. 7-ranked offense, averaging 97.6 PPG, against a Timberwolves defense that ranks No. 17 at 95.4 PPG. The Rockets field goal percentage has averaged 44.8% so far, more than the Timberwolves shooters have achieved on the year, 43.1% per game.

Defensively, the Timberwolves feature the league's No. 12-rated defense on the road, allowing 94.7 points per game. Houston, meanwhile, comes in at No. 6 in the league in scoring at home.

The Timberwolves were a 102-90 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against the Bobcats. They covered the 10.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (192) made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors. Kevin Love poured in 30 points for Minnesota on Wednesday, as they defeated Charlotte 102-90 at Target Center.

In their last action, Houston was a 96-95 Sportsbook at home against the Thunder. They covered the 3-point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (191) was profitable news for UNDER bettors. Oklahoma City was victimized by Kevin Martin for 32 points as the Rockets defeated the Thunder 96-95 in NBA action on Wednesday.


Minnesota Timberwolves Trends:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After playing Charlotte are 2-8
After a win are 5-5

Houston Rockets Trends:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Utah are 7-3
After playing Oklahoma City are 4-6
After a win are 6-4

A few Timberwolves at Rockets trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Minnesota's last 16 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Houston's last 9 games
Houston is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Houston is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home


Next up:
Minnesota home to Philadelphia, Sunday, February 19
Houston home to Utah, Sunday, February 19