Game Preview #30 – Timberwolves at Rockets

The Wolves look to build momentum following their Christmas Day win. Can they capitalize on a tired Rockets team to notch their second win in Texas?

Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets
Date: December 27th, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM CST
Location: Toyota Center
Television Coverage: FanDual Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Deep in the Heart of Texas: Wolves Look for Redemption in Houston

They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and for the Minnesota Timberwolves, the stakes couldn’t be higher. After a much-needed Christmas Day win against the Dallas Mavericks—a victory sweeter than your grandma’s holiday fudge—the Wolves head to Houston tomorrow night, ready to avenge their NBA Cup loss in late November. That game, if you remember, had everything: drama, grit, a Rob Dillingham explosion, and ultimately heartbreak in overtime. This time, the Wolves are looking to rewrite the script and close out their 2024 Texas two-step on a high note.

Christmas Cheer, But Don’t Get Complacent

The Wolves’ win over Dallas wasn’t just another game—it felt like a potential turning point. Anthony Edwards played like the superstar we know he can be, hitting clutch buckets down the stretch. The defense was active, Rudy Gobert owned the paint, and Julius Randle’s bully ball came through when it mattered most. It wasn’t a perfect game by any stretch. Those first ten minutes of the fourth quarter nearly gave me an aneurysm, but it was enough to knock off the Mavs on their home court. That’s no small feat.

But—and this is a big but—one win doesn’t solve everything. The Wolves have been maddeningly inconsistent this season. For every lockdown defensive showing, there’s been a head-scratching collapse. For every offensive burst, there’s a six-minute scoring drought that leaves us all wondering if the team forgot how to play basketball. Houston will demand 48 minutes of effort, not 36, not 42. The Wolves can’t afford to take their foot off the gas, especially against a Houston Rockets team sitting comfortably near the top of the Western Conference standings at 20-9.

The Revenge Game Narrative

Let’s rewind to late November. The Wolves faced Houston in an NBA Cup battle. After the game seemed well in hand for Houston, Rob Dillingham exploded off the bench to drag Minnesota back into contention. It was electric, it was exciting, and it was ultimately heartbreaking as the Rockets pulled away in overtime to crush the Wolves’ Cup dreams. Now, with both teams fighting for positioning in a stacked Western Conference, the stakes feel just as high—even if there’s no shiny trophy on the line.

Keys to the Game: Taming the Rockets

1. Clamp Down on the Backcourt

Even without Dillon Brooks (who might return tomorrow), the Rockets’ guards are a handful. Fred VanVleet is a steadying force, and Jalen Green can light up the scoreboard in a hurry. The Wolves wing defenders—Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Anthony Edwards—need to bring the same defensive intensity they showed against Dallas.

2. Control the Paint

Rudy Gobert and Alperen Şengün is a matchup that could swing this game. Şengün has been a revelation for Houston, with his crafty post moves and sneaky-good passing. But Rudy just handled Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively, so he should be well-prepped for another battle down low. The Wolves’ bigs—Gobert, Naz, and Randle—need to protect the rim and dominate the boards to prevent Houston from getting easy second-chance points.

3. Attack Houston’s Legs

Here’s where scheduling works in Minnesota’s favor. The Rockets are on the road tonight against the Pelicans, while the Wolves have a day of rest after their Christmas Day win. Come the fourth quarter, tired legs could catch up to Houston. This is where Ant needs to go full-on beast mode, relentlessly attacking the rim and making the Rockets work on defense. The more the Wolves can tire the Rockets out, the better their chances will be down the stretch.

4. Creative Lineups

Chris Finch, this one’s for you. The Wolves starting five may be their best players on paper, but they haven’t always been their best lineup on the court. Finch needs to mix and match to find the combinations that work, especially if the offense starts to sputter. Rob Dillingham sparked the Wolves last time against Houston—could he do it again? Either way, Finch needs to stay flexible and not let the game slip away because of stagnant lineups.

Why This Game Matters

Let’s not sugarcoat it: this is a massive opportunity for the Wolves. They’re in a three-way tie for the eighth seed with Phoenix and Golden State. A win in Houston puts them at 16-14, which would be just four games behind the Rockets for the second seed. Yes, four games. That’s a Christmas miracle when you think about how many winnable games the Wolves have thrown away this season.

A loss, though, and the Wolves risk slipping further into the dreaded play-in territory, where one bad night can end your season. With games against San Antonio and OKC looming to close out 2024, Minnesota needs to build momentum now.

Final Thoughts: The Gift of Redemption

This is the part of the season where good teams separate themselves from the pack. The Wolves have the talent to be one of those teams. They’ve shown flashes of brilliance. They’ve locked down defensively. They’ve hit big shots in big moments. But they’ve also been maddeningly inconsistent.

A win in Houston would send a message: the Wolves are back. It would erase some of the sting from that NBA Cup loss and show that this team has learned how to close out big games. And it would give Wolves fans something to cheer about heading into the new year.

So here’s hoping the Wolves keep the holiday spirit alive, bring the effort for all 48 minutes, and light up the Rockets like a Christmas tree. Because let’s face it—after the ups and downs of this season, we could all use a little cheer.

Happy holidays, Wolves fans. Let’s see if our squad can keep the good vibes rolling in H-Town.