Thursday, March 20th, 2014 5:00 PM on FSN, CSNH

Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Minnesota trails the playoff race by 5.5 games and with only 17 games left the dream could be over. Houston on the other hand is well tuned for a long playoff run, currently sitting in the 4th seed in the West. Houston had a minor hiccup recently, dropping three straight on visits to Oklahoma City, Chicago, and Miami. The stretch was part of a 7 game run where Houston also faced Indiana and Portland. The schedule eases up a bit with Minnesota, Cleveland, and Philadelphia on the docket in the next week. Houston will have two full days of rest before Thursdays games after dismantling Utah 124-86 on Monday to cover the large 13 point spread.

Minnesota has won 6 of their last 10 despite falling against the spread in 6 of their last 7. Thursday nights game marks the second end of a back to back matchup in Dallas followed by a visit to Houston. The fatigue advantage will definitely be on the Rockets side but look for that to be heavily influenced in the opening line.

Houston matches up well with the T'Wolves, winning and covering the spread in the two previous meetings this year. A 112-101 victory at home against Minnesota in November was enough to cover the 6 point spread and hit the over. The most recent matchup was a trip to the Target Center where the Rockets once again came away victorious 107-89. The February 10th line was only Houston -4 but the total of 206.5 went well under.

ATS Trends

Minnesota is 18-15-0 ATS on the road this season

Minnesota is 16-15-2 against the over/under on the road this season

Houston is 16-17-0 ATS at home this season

Houston is 17-16-0 against the over/under at home this season

Injuries to Watch

Minnesota

03/18/14 C Nikola Pekovic Ankle is downgraded to expected to miss Thursday vs. Houston
03/11/14 G A.J. Price Appendix out indefinitely
02/20/14 C Ronny Turiaf Knee out indefinitely

Houston

03/19/14 C Dwight Howard Ankle questionable Thursday vs. Minnesota
03/19/14 G Francisco Garcia Not Suspended probable Thursday vs. Minnesota
03/19/14 F Omri Casspi Flu questionable Thursday vs. Minnesota
02/20/14 G Ronnie Brewer Ankle out indefinitely
01/25/14 F Greg Smith Knee out indefinitely

Josh's Pick: Take Houston

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald