The Houston Rockets wrap up a four-game homestand when they host the Timberwolves on Sunday at Toyota Center. The game features a showdown between two of the NBA’s rising stars in Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2020 NBA draft, and Rockets rookie Jalen Green, taken at No. 2 overall in the 2021 first round.
With four games left in the 2021-22 regular season, the Timberwolves are only two games behind Denver (46-32) for the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference standings, which is the last spot to guarantee a playoff berth without having to go through the play-in tournament.
Thus, Minnesota enters with plenty of incentive to win in Houston. By contrast, the Rockets arguably have incentive to lose on Sunday, since they are currently tied with Orlando for the league’s worst record and the No. 1 positioning slot in the 2022 NBA draft race.
