Date/Time: Friday, February 17, 7 p.m. CT- Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

After taking two of three games from the Rockets so far in 2011-12, the Minnesota Timberwolves (14-16) will try to expand their winning streak over Houston (17-13) as they visit the Toyota Center this Friday night.

The Rockets returned home from a 3-3 road trip on Wednesday to score a one point victory vs. the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City.  Currently, the Rockets ate 11-3 at Toyota Center; however, the team has played only two games at its home arena so far this month.

Timberwolves and Rockets have already met several times this season; in fact, tonight’s game will mark the fourth time in four weeks the two teams have met. But while Houston has a clear advantage when playing at the Toyota Center, the Rockets have lost the past two games vs. the Timberwolves (one home, one away) by a combined of 21 points.

The last time the Rockets fell at their home arena was coincidentally against the Wolves (120-108 reverse on Jan. 30th). Additionally, Houston lost to the T-Wolves back in February 4th (100-91) in a game best remembered for Kevin Love’s infamous foul over Luis Scola. Wolves’ All-Star forward Love stepped on Scola’s face after knocking him to the ground on a drive. Love was suspended two games for the incident, and has been on fire since returning from his suspension, reaching the 30-point mark three times in four games, and averaging 18.0 rebounds in the last three matches.

Meanwhile, the Wolves ended a four-game losing streak with a convincing 102-90 beating over the troubled Charlotte Bobcats at Target Center on Wednesday. But even when this win gave the team a much needed boost, the Wolves desperately need to improve their record before the annual All Star break.  With four games against teams with .500 or better records taking them into All-Star Weekend, Minnesota, which is 5-5 in its last 10 games, is in last place in the Northwest division with a 14-16 record. The Wolves will welcome the 76ers on Sunday February 19th, then, they will travel to Denver to play the Nuggets on February 20th, before they return home for a game vs. the Utah Jazz.

Game Odds:

Minnesota: +5 -110, ML +170     
Houston: -5 -110, ML -195
Game Total: 198.5, O/U -110   

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Rockets Trends

Rockets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a home underdog. 100%
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5. 80%
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games. 80%
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home underdog of 0.5-4.5. 80%
Rockets are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. 75%
Rockets are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5. 72.73%
Rockets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Friday games. 71.43%

Timberwolves Trends

Timberwolves are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a road underdog of 5.0-10.5. 87.50 %
Timberwolves are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. 83.33%
Timberwolves are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5. 80%
Timberwolves are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as a road underdog of 11.0 or greater. 75%
Timberwolves are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. 75%
Timberwolves are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a road underdog. 71.43%
Timberwolves are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 road games. 69.23%

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