Houston @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 3, 2018 ) Houston 91, Minnesota 103

James Harden strives to extend his streak of 30-point outings to 31 when the Houston Rockets visit the Minneapolis Timberwolves on Wednesday. Another 30-point performance by Harden will tie Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain for the second-longest streak in NBA history.

Harden finished with a flurry to reach 30 during Monday's 120-104 win over the Dallas Mavericks and he was hindered by an ailing left shoulder he hurt on Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. "I couldn't get the lift that I usually have from my shot," Harden told reporters afterward. "But that's no excuse. I'm just happy we won the game." The Rockets defeated Minnesota in 17 of the past 21 meetings but the Timberwolves won this season's first matchup. Minnesota won for just the second time in its past eight contests on Monday, when it prevailed 130-120 over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (33-23): Harden's streak was in deep jeopardy on Monday as he had just 20 points with under three minutes to play before scoring 11 late points, including a 3-pointer with 52.9 seconds to surpass 30. "I was worried about winning," Harden told reporters while denying that getting to 30 was a priority. "They were making their shots. They were coming back, cut the lead to I think 10 or nine points ... so I just wanted to get the proper shots. I was just trying to make the right play." Point guard Chris Paul had 11 assists to move into eighth place on the all-time list with 8,972, surpassing Gary Payton (8,966 from 1990-2007).

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (26-30): Point guards Derrick Rose (22 points, six assists) and Jeff Teague (19 points, 10 assists) were both on the floor in the same game for the first time since Jan. 20 and ignited the squad out of its recent slumber. Teague (foot) missed eight straight games before returning for Friday's contest against the New Orleans Pelicans while Rose (ankle) missed six of the previous seven before suiting up Monday. "We're veterans," Rose told reporters. "I think we know how to gauge a game a little bit. Play us at the same time, and I think it will work out."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Timberwolves held the Rockets to 29 second-half points while posting a 103-91 home win on Dec. 3.

2. Houston PF Kenneth Faried is averaging 16.3 points on 75-of-116 shooting in 11 games since joining the club.

3. Minnesota SF Andrew Wiggins (illness) sat out Monday but is expected to play against the Rockets.

PREDICTION: Rockets 118, Timberwolves 114