The Minnesota Timberwolves will go for their second win in as many nights when they tip off against the Houston Rockets on Thursday in Minneapolis.
Minnesota is coming off a 127-108 home win over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. Anthony Edwards scored 49 points, including 30 in the second half, as the Timberwolves snapped a two-game skid.
The victory offered proof that the Timberwolves can score plenty without Julius Randle, their second-leading scorer this season. They will need to continue to find a way to do just that after the team announced that Randle will miss at least two more weeks because of a right adductor strain.
Some reinforcements could be on the way. Minnesota rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. has returned to practice after missing more than a month because of a right foot sprain and is a prime candidate to earn playing time in Randle’s absence.
“He’s certainly on the fringe right now of getting into the rotation at any point,” coach Chris Finch said. “… He plays with a lot of force (and) physicality, too, something that we need back in the lineup somehow with (Randle) out.
“I would say he’s extremely close. He’s ready to go. I think he’s kind of close to breaking through.”
Two other rookies — Rob Dillingham and Jaylen Clark — have earned steady playing time off the bench in recent games as they have gained more trust from Finch and the rest of the coaching staff. Clark in particular has come on strong and impressed teammates and coaches with a hard-nosed approach on defense.
Minnesota will face a Rockets squad that will try to snap a four-game losing streak. Houston has lost two games against the Brooklyn Nets during its slump, and it has dropped one game apiece against the New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies.
The Rockets also are dealing with injuries to key players, including Jabari Smith (hand) and Tari Eason (leg). Veteran guard Fred VanVleet missed Houston’s most recent game because of an ankle injury and could be sidelined for another week or longer.
VanVleet, 30, is averaging 14.6 points and 5.8 assists in 45 games this season.
Houston coach Ime Udoka said he doesn’t want to use injuries as an excuse for his team’s recent struggles. He will look for a better effort on defense, specifically against Edwards.
After Tuesday’s 99-97 loss against Brooklyn, Udoka did not hold back when it came to challenging his players’ competitiveness.
“Very soft and uncompetitive defensively,” he said. “Just going at us 1-on-1, we’re complaining about offensive fouls, not boxing out, not doing our assignments.
“Even our supposed defenders got cooked (against the Nets).”
Thursday will be the third of four regular-season meetings between the Rockets and Timberwolves.
Houston held on for a 117-111 overtime win in the first matchup Nov. 26 in Minneapolis. VanVleet led the Rockets with 27 points, and Alperen Sengun and Dillon Brooks scored 22 apiece.
Minnesota responded with a 113-112 win on Dec. 27 in Houston. Randle topped the Timberwolves with 27 points, and Edwards finished with 24 on 9-for-17 shooting from the field.
–Field Level Media
