Rockets vs. Timberwolves game preview: TANK WAR!

The worst and second-worst teams in the NBA meet tonight and Saturday for a back-to-back, two-game series. With Minnesota comfortably holding a 2.5-game lead over the Rockets for the worst record overall, these games are important to the tanking efforts. If Minny finds a way to lose both games, they are certainly headed towards that top spot. If the Rockets drop both, they can drag Minnesota up into the muck. And with Orlando trading away several good players, it appears that the Magic are also trying to enter the top 3 sweepstakes.

I’ll admit that it’s been depressing to write game previews with more of an eye on the tank than on the actual game. Yet, as we’ve learned time and time again, the NBA is decided by superstars, and the best way to get those players is through the draft.

Minnesota still has plenty of talent. You know about Karl-Anthony Towns, who is still putting up great numbers. D’Angelo Russell is out after surgery to remove a loose body in his knee, but top overall pick Anthony Edwards has stepped in and picked up the scoring load. Edwards is averaging 25 points per game in March. His shooting numbers still don’t pop off the page, but this stretch is providing him with valuable experience moving forward. A Russell-Edwards-Towns trio could be frightening if Gersson Rosas can put talent around them, and he’s well on his way to getting another top 4 pick to pair with that group.

Also, as a Texas Tech alum I’m legally obligated to mention Jarrett Culver in every game preview between these teams. I know he’s not having a great season. But Wreck Em!

Tip-off is at 7pm CT on AT&T SportsNet Southwest