Houston @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 23, 2018 ) Minnesota 102, Houston 120

The Houston Rockets are inching closer to locking down the top spot in the Western Conference and hope to stay hot with a visit to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. A 107-101 win at New Orleans on Saturday gave the Rockets 21 wins in their last 22 games and a 2 1/2-game lead on second-place Golden State, and the team defense has been key of late.

"Our defense, holding them to 101, that's a very potent offensive team," coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters in New Orleans. James Harden poured in 32 points to go along with 11 rebounds and eight assists in Saturday's win as Houston moved within three victories of matching the franchise record accomplished in 1993-94. While the Rockets are comfortable atop the heap, the Timberwolves are just two games clear of the ninth-place team in the West after dropping a 117-101 decision at San Antonio on Saturday. Minnesota is 26-8 at home - including 18-2 against conference opponents - but fell 126-108 against Houston at the Target Center on Feb. 13.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBATV, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (55-14): New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry turned a few heads when he told reporters pregame Saturday that Harden was the league MVP instead of his own superstar and MVP contender Anthony Davis. Harden then went out and recorded his 23rd 30-point game of the season, while Chris Paul chipped in 21 points and added three steals to become the 12th player in NBA history with at least 2,000. "We could've been a little better down the stretch as far as giving up easy baskets," Paul told reporters. "Probably could've executed a little better but we'll take the win."

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (40-30): Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 23 points in the loss to San Antonio while draining his only two 3-point tries, making the All-Star 5-of-5 from beyond the arc over his last two games. Andrew Wiggins topped the 20-point mark for the seventh time in a nine-game stretch while matching his season high with five assists. The 23-year-old was held to seven points on 2-of-14 shooting - including 0-of-5 from 3-point range - the last time the Rockets came to town.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Timberwolves PG Jeff Teague has 31 assists and three turnovers over his last four contests.

2. Rockets C Clint Capela collected nine blocked shots in the last two contests.

3. Houston took each of the last five meetings.

PREDICTION: Rockets 111, Timberwolves 105