Minnesota Timberwolves vs Houston Rockets Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Dec. 27 | 2024-25 NBA season

The Minnesota Timberwolves will face the Houston Rockets on Friday night, fresh off their Christmas Day victory against the Dallas Mavericks. This will be their second meeting this season, as the Rockets narrowly won the first game in overtime, 117-111.

The matchup will take place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The Rockets are currently on a three-game home winning streak, while the Timberwolves have struggled on the road, winning only seven of their 15 away games this season.

The Rockets hold the second seed in the Western Conference with a 21-9 record. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games and boast an impressive 11-3 record at home.

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves, who reached last season's Western Conference Finals, have been inconsistent this year. They currently sit in the ninth spot in the West with a 15-14 record. Before their Christmas Day win against the Mavericks, Minnesota had lost three straight games, dampening their momentum.

The Rockets are expected to rely on their versatile center Alperen Sengun, who has been a standout in only his fourth season in the league. Sengun is averaging 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game for the Rockets, who have missed the last four NBA playoffs.

The Timberwolves will look to Anthony Edwards, who is shooting a career-high 41.8 percent from three-point range this season on nearly 10 attempts per game. Edwards is averaging 25.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game for Minnesota.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Houston Rockets: Injury reports

Minnesota Timberwolves injury report

The Minnesota Timberwolves will be missing the services of key rotational forwards: Daishen Nix will miss the game due to an ankle injury, while veteran Joe Ingles is questionable due to a soleus injury. Luka Garza will also miss the game due to an ankle injury.

Houston Rockets injury report

Two players are questionable for the Houston Rockets' upcoming game. Dillon Brooks is day-to-day with an ankle injury, and Tari Eason might sit out for rest.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Houston Rockets: Predicted starting lineups and depth chart

Minnesota Timberwolves starting lineup and depth chart

The Minnesota Timberwolves are set to start the game with their usual lineup, featuring Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert. Chris Finch will be at the helm as the team's head coach.

POS	STARTER	2ND	3RD
Point Guard	Mike Conley	Rob Dillingham
Shooting Guard	Anthony Edwards	Donte DiVicenzo
Small Forward	Jaden McDaniels	Joe Ingles
Power Forward	Julius Randle	Josh Minott
Center	Rudy Gobert	Naz Reid

Houston Rockets starting lineup and depth chart

The Houston Rockets are expected to start Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun. Leading the team is head coach Ime Udoka, who previously guided the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals.

POS STARTER 2ND 3RD Point Guard Fred VanVleet Amen Thompson Aaron Holiday Shooting Guard Jalen Green Reed Sheppard Small Forward Amen Thompson Power Forward Jabari Smith Jr. Tari Eason Center Alperen Sengun Jock Landale