The gist: The Timberwolves gave the Lakers a scare before dropping a 106-101 decision. This will be the Rockets’ last home game before embarking on seven road shows in their next eight games that will extend until Valentine’s Day.
Key matchup: The whole Rockets frontline vs Kevin Love
Love’s svelte frame makes him a tireless workhorse on the court, putting up 25-13 averages, definitely worth an MVP conversation. He will crash the boards with ferocity and frustrate whoever is boxing him out. Jordan Hill will need to produce twice the effort he delivered against the Knicks, and even that still might not be enough.
X-factor: Chase Budinger and Chandler Parsons
Specifically AND, not an OR. With Kevin Martin’s status still uncertain, these two players both need big games to stave off a deep T’Wolves backcourt and also to draw attention away from Kyle Lowry, who left his jump shot somewhere in the Target Center when these two teams met last week.
Code Red: Goran Dragic and Patrick Patterson both lit up the T’Wolves the last time they met, combining for 27 points off the bench. Rick Adelman will have his drawing board ready for these two tonight.