Houston Rockets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Preview

Nov 23, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love (42) during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Richardson-USA TODAY Sports

Previewing the Houston Rockets matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday night by the numbers:

31.5/15.5

The points and rebound averages of Kevin Love in the past 6 games, respectively. The All-Star forward has carried the load for the Wolves, as he’s done his entire career, but is listed as questionable for Monday night’s game with a neck injury after taking a nasty fall last week against the Lakers. Center Nikola Pekovic will be out, while former Rocket Kevin Martin will miss the game as well with an injured thumb.

5/30

The Rockets have moved to 5th in the NBA in field goal percentage, while the Wolves now rank last in field goal percentage defense. Without Pekovic and possibly Love out, Dwight Howard has a chance to continue his dominant play of late in the low post.

The Wolves are 6th in the league in points off turnovers, and scored 22 points in that category in the first meeting with the Rockets. While the turnover problems have gone down since the beginning of the season, the Rockets still rank 3rd in the NBA at 16 turnovers a game.

1-12

Minnesota’s record when the game is decided by 4 points or fewer, which is the main reason why they currently stand outside of the playoff picture.

Tip: 7 PM CT

TV: NBA TV