Associated Press

Minnesota Timberwolves (15-14, ninth in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (21-9, second in the Western Conference)

Houston; Friday, 8 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Rockets -1.5; over/under is 213.5

BOTTOM LINE: Houston hosts Minnesota aiming to extend its three-game home winning streak.

The Rockets have gone 13-7 against Western Conference opponents. Houston ranks fifth in the NBA with 51.5 points in the paint led by Alperen Sengun averaging 12.5.

The Timberwolves have gone 12-9 against Western Conference opponents. Minnesota scores 109.1 points and has outscored opponents by 2.2 points per game.

The Rockets are shooting 44.3% from the field this season, 1.4 percentage points lower than the 45.7% the Timberwolves allow to opponents. The Timberwolves are shooting 45.7% from the field, 2.2% higher than the 43.5% the Rockets’ opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Sengun is scoring 18.3 points per game with 10.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Rockets.

Anthony Edwards is averaging 25.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and four assists for the Timberwolves.

LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 7-3, averaging 111.6 points, 49.3 rebounds, 21.1 assists, 6.9 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.7 points per game.

Timberwolves: 6-4, averaging 105.2 points, 45.0 rebounds, 27.0 assists, 10.2 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 100.5 points.

INJURIES: Rockets: Dillon Brooks: day to day (ankle), Tari Eason: day to day (rest).

Timberwolves: Daishen Nix: out (ankle), Joe Ingles: day to day (soleus), Luka Garza: out (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Entering this transfer portal, Minnesota’s wide receiver room was a major focus for P.J. Fleck and his coaching staff.

It shouldn’t be a surprise. Entering the offseason, the Gophers were set to say goodbye to both Daniel Jackson and Elijah Spencer. Behind them, the depth at the position was highly inexperienced outside of Le’Meke Brockington. The only other receiver to appear in more than 10 games this season was Cristian Driver who had a limited impact in 2024.

Now with the Gophers putting the finishing touches on their transfer portal class this window, three of the program’s top four commitments in the portal are wide receivers.

This month, the Gophers have landed wide receiver commitments out of the protal. Those additions come in the forms of; Nebraska’s Malachi Coleman (No. 90 overall transfer), Miami (OH)’s Javon Tracy (No. 97 overall transfer), and UCLA’s Logan Loya (No. 222 overall transfer).

Combined, the three wide receivers bring 88 career games of experience with them and over 1,500 career snaps.