Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets
Date: December 27, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. CST
Location: Toyota Center
TV coverage: FanDual Sports Network North
Radio reporting: Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Deep in the heart of Texas: Wolves seek salvation in Houston

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and for the Minnesota Timberwolves the stakes couldn’t be higher. After a much-needed Christmas win against the Dallas Mavericks – a win sweeter than your grandma’s holiday candy – the Wolves travel to Houston tomorrow night ready to avenge their NBA Cup loss in late November. If you remember, this game had it all: drama, guts, a Rob Dillingham blast, and ultimately heartbreak in overtime. This time the Wolves want to rewrite the script and finish their Texas Two-Step 2024 on a high note.

Christmas cheer, but don’t be complacent

The Wolves’ win over Dallas wasn’t just another game – it seemed like a potential turning point. Anthony Edwards played like the superstar we know he can be and hit all sorts of things down the stretch. The defense was active, Rudy Gobert was in control and Julius Randle’s ball got through when it mattered most. It wasn’t a perfect game by any means. The first ten minutes of the fourth quarter almost gave me an aneurysm, but it was enough to knock out the Mavs on their home court. This is no small thing.

But – and this is a big deal But– A win doesn’t solve everything. Wolves have been incredibly inconsistent this season. Every attempt at lockdown defense resulted in a shocking collapse. With every offensive drive, there’s a six-minute scoring lull that makes us all wonder if the team has forgotten how to play basketball. Houston will demand 48 minutes of action, not 36, not 42. The Wolves can’t afford to take their foot off the gas, especially against a Houston Rockets team that’s comfortably atop the Western Conference at 20-9. Rating lies.

The narrative of the revenge game

Let’s rewind to the end of November. The Wolves faced Houston in an NBA Cup battle. With the game seemingly well under control for Houston, Rob Dillingham jumped off the bench and brought Minnesota back into the race. It was electric, it was exciting and it was ultimately heartbreaking as the Rockets pulled away in overtime and dashed the Wolves’ Cup dreams. Now, with both teams fighting for their place in the occupied Western Conference, the stakes appear to be just as high – even if there’s no shiny trophy at stake.

Key to the game: Taming the rockets

1. Hold the backcourt

Even without Dillon Brooks (who could return tomorrow), the Rockets’ guards are a handful. Fred VanVleet is a stabilizing force and Jalen Green can make a splash at the drop of a hat. The Wolves’ wing defenders – Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Anthony Edwards – will need to bring the same defensive intensity they showed against Dallas.

2. Check the color

Rudy Gobert and Alperen Şengün are a duel that could have a decisive impact on this game. Şengün was a revelation for Houston with his deft post movement and sneaky passing. But Rudy has barely handled Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively, so he should be well prepared for another fight in the depths. The Wolves’ bigs – Gobert, Naz and Randle – must protect the rim and dominate the boards to prevent Houston from scoring easy second-chance points.

3. Attack Houston’s legs

This is where the scheduling works in Minnesota’s favor. The Rockets play the Pelicans tonight, while the Wolves have an off day following their win on Christmas Day. Tired legs could catch up with Houston in the fourth quarter. This is where Ant needs to go into full beast mode, attacking the rim relentlessly and making the Rockets work on defense. The more the Wolves can tire out the Rockets, the better their chances will be down the stretch.

4. Creative lineups

Chris Finch, this is for you. The Wolves’ starting five may be their best players on paper, but they haven’t always been their best lineup on the field. Finch has to mix and match to find the combinations that work, especially when the offense sputters. Rob Dillingham upset the Wolves last time out against Houston – could he do it again? In any case, Finch must remain flexible and not let games slip away due to stagnant lineups.

Why this game is important

Let’s not sugarcoat it: This is a huge opportunity for the Wolves. They are in a three-way tie for eighth place with Phoenix and Golden State. A win in Houston moves them to 16-14, which would be just four games behind the second-place Rockets. Yes, four games. That’s a Christmas miracle considering how many winnable games Wolves have given away this season.

However, if they lose, the Wolves risk slipping further into dreaded play-in territory, where one bad night can end the season. With games against San Antonio and OKC looming until the end of 2024, Minnesota needs to build momentum now.

Final Thoughts: The Gift of Redemption

This is the part of the season where good teams stand out from the crowd. The Wolves have the talent to be one of those teams. They have shown flashes of brilliance. They protected defensively. They have achieved great success in great moments. But they were also shockingly inconsistent.

A win in Houston would send a message: The Wolves are back. It would ease some of the pain of the NBA Cup loss and show that this team has learned how to finish big games. And it would give Wolves fans something to be happy about in the new year.

So here’s hoping the Wolves keep up the holiday spirit, put in an effort for 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 some cheering up.

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