Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Houston Rockets excel on the offensive glass, grabbing 34.7% of offensive rebounds, but that’s been a necessity due to their low 50.5% effective field goal percentage—ranking 27th in the NBA. This aggressive rebounding approach keeps them competitive.
Minnesota, however, is a tough matchup. The Timberwolves allow just 27.2% offensive rebounds per game, likely limiting Houston’s second-chance opportunities in this game.
Defensively, the Rockets have been stellar, holding opponents to 105.4 points per 100 possessions and a 50.3% effective field goal percentage. Houston also forces turnovers on 16% of opponent possessions while limiting offensive rebounds to 27.1%. This positions them well to win the turnover battle and deny Minnesota many second-chance points.
Given the Rockets’ defensive intensity and the nature of this NBA Cup game, tighter defense is expected. Betting on the Under 220.5 seems wise.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz
Despite a surprising 121-106 victory over the New York Knicks, the Utah Jazz sit at a disappointing 4-12. Offensive struggles persist, with the team ranked 26th in points per 100 possessions and a high 18.1% turnover rate. Their 52.6% effective field goal percentage hasn’t helped either. While Utah finds success on the offensive glass, their scoring efficiency remains poor. The Spurs have held opponents to a 52.9% effective field goal percentage, making it tough for the Jazz to capitalize on second-chance opportunities.
Utah excels at drawing fouls, but San Antonio effectively limits free-throw attempts, negating this advantage.
Offensively, the Spurs average 112.2 points per 100 possessions, still ranking in the league’s bottom ten. Despite shooting a better 54.4% effective field goal percentage, turnovers remain a problem. However, this matchup offers the Spurs an opportunity to improve. Utah’s defense ranks in the bottom ten in several key metrics, allowing 118.8 points per 100 possessions.
The Spurs have already won two of three matchups against Utah this season. At 9-8 and riding a three-game win streak, San Antonio seems primed for another victory.
