Free NBA Picks Today: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Houston Rockets 11/5/22

The Minnesota Timberwolves (4-5, 3-3 Home), one of the NBA’s top shooting defenses, play host to the Houston Rockets (1-8, 0-6 Away) on Saturday. Houston lost to the Los Angeles Clippers 109-101 at Toyota Center on Wednesday, their fifth loss in a row. Alperen Sengun led the way in defeat with 26 points and 13 rebounds. The Rockets are 15th in the Western Conference.

Minnesota is playing the second of a back-to-back after losing their third in a row yesterday at Target Center, falling to the Milwaukee Bucks 115-102. Anthony Edwards led the team in scoring in defeat with 24 points. With 22 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, Karl-Anthony Towns also played a part. The Timberwolves are the ninth seed in the Western Conference.

This marks the first meeting of the season between the teams. Minnesota swept all three matchups between the teams last season, the last of which was a 139-132 triumph at Toyota Center on April 3, their fourth straight head-to-head victory. Edwards led the Timberwolves with 33 points. Jalen Green had 31 points in the losing effort.

The Rockets have been led this season by Kevin Porter Jr. and Green, who are averaging 20.4 and 19.3 points per game, respectively. Porter Jr. also has dished 5.4 assists per game. Meanwhile, Sengun is grabbing 10.3 rebounds per game. Edwards (23.2 ppg) and Towns (21.7) have been the primary providers of the T’Wolves’ offense.

Rudy Gobert is posting 13.9 rebounds per game, most in the NBA, and D’Angelo Russell is recording 5.6 assists. Foes are shooting 43.8% from the field against the Timberwolves, ranking as one of the league’s toughest FG% defenses (4th).The teams have split their last 10 matchups at Target Center (5-5).

Houston is looking to taste victory on the road for the first time this season in six games. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves lost the only previous game when playing two days in a row this season, which also saw them playing against a rested opponent. The Rockets are 1-0 with a rest advantage.