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Stephen Nover Free Friday NBA Play
(NBA) Minnesota vs. Houston,
Point Spread: 13.50 | -110.00 Minnesota (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 13.50 | -110.00 Minnesota (Away)
Result: Win
I realize Minnesota is banged-up. Big man Nikola Pekovic is out. Ricky Rubio is doubtful. So is Kevin Garnett. Kevin Martin is questionable.
But the Rockets are equally battered even with Dwight Howard back playing. Terrance Jones, who played very well in Howard's absence, is out along with point guard Patrick Beverley. This forces ancient Jason Terry into playing more minutes than he probably should be logging at this stage of his career. In addition, Corey Brewer, Josh Smith and Donatas Motiejunas are all at far less than 100 percent.
Howard saw his first action this past Wednesday against New Orleans after missing the previous 27 games with a knee injury. He played for 16 minutes. There is going to be an adjustment period for Howard and his teammates as he eases his way back into playing shape.
The Rockets pulled off their biggest comeback of the season in coming from 17 points down to nip the Pelicans, 95-93. That was the Rockets' second consecutive road game and road win having defeated Indiana this past Monday. After this game, the Rockets go on the road to meet the Wizards on Sunday and Raptors on Monday.
So this is a potential flat spot for the Rockets - off their biggest comeback victory and returning home before heading out on the road again. Because of his team's multiple injuries, Kevin McHale is going to have to use his bench a lot. This should make the possibility of a backdoor cover even more plausible for the Timberwolves if they aren't playing well.
The Timberwolves have a lot of youth, including rookie-of-the-year favorite Andrew Wiggins, who is playing well along with improving point guard Zach Lavine. The plus in having so much youth is fresher legs at this late stage of the season and hungry players desperate to secure their future.
Despite its horrible record, Minnesota has been playing hard with three of its last four games going into overtime. The Timberwolves are 6-3 the past nine times they've taken eight or more points. They also have the incentive of trying to avoid a 4-0 season sweep by the Rockets.
The Timberwolves had their lowest shooting percentage of the season the last time they played the Rockets, which was in Houston on Feb. 23. Yet, even shooting just 33.3 percent from the field, the Timberwolves still only lost by 11 points, which would be enough to cover the spread here.
(Editor's note: Stephen Nover has his NCAA Tournament Game of the Year and a strong NBA play going today in addition to this free selection.)
But the Rockets are equally battered even with Dwight Howard back playing. Terrance Jones, who played very well in Howard's absence, is out along with point guard Patrick Beverley. This forces ancient Jason Terry into playing more minutes than he probably should be logging at this stage of his career. In addition, Corey Brewer, Josh Smith and Donatas Motiejunas are all at far less than 100 percent.
Howard saw his first action this past Wednesday against New Orleans after missing the previous 27 games with a knee injury. He played for 16 minutes. There is going to be an adjustment period for Howard and his teammates as he eases his way back into playing shape.
The Rockets pulled off their biggest comeback of the season in coming from 17 points down to nip the Pelicans, 95-93. That was the Rockets' second consecutive road game and road win having defeated Indiana this past Monday. After this game, the Rockets go on the road to meet the Wizards on Sunday and Raptors on Monday.
So this is a potential flat spot for the Rockets - off their biggest comeback victory and returning home before heading out on the road again. Because of his team's multiple injuries, Kevin McHale is going to have to use his bench a lot. This should make the possibility of a backdoor cover even more plausible for the Timberwolves if they aren't playing well.
The Timberwolves have a lot of youth, including rookie-of-the-year favorite Andrew Wiggins, who is playing well along with improving point guard Zach Lavine. The plus in having so much youth is fresher legs at this late stage of the season and hungry players desperate to secure their future.
Despite its horrible record, Minnesota has been playing hard with three of its last four games going into overtime. The Timberwolves are 6-3 the past nine times they've taken eight or more points. They also have the incentive of trying to avoid a 4-0 season sweep by the Rockets.
The Timberwolves had their lowest shooting percentage of the season the last time they played the Rockets, which was in Houston on Feb. 23. Yet, even shooting just 33.3 percent from the field, the Timberwolves still only lost by 11 points, which would be enough to cover the spread here.
(Editor's note: Stephen Nover has his NCAA Tournament Game of the Year and a strong NBA play going today in addition to this free selection.)
