Inside The Rockets

Rockets Can Inch Closer to NBA Cup Quarterfinals vs. Wolves

The Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves face off in an NBA Cup matchup.

Jeremy Brener

Apr 2, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) drives on Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Apr 2, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) drives on Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images / Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
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The Houston Rockets face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in their third NBA Cup game tonight at the Target Center.

The Rockets have a chance to grow their lead in West Group A with a win tonight against the Wolves. It would improve their record to 3-0 and likely secure them a spot in the quarterfinals by increasing their league-best +49 point differential.

The Rockets and Wolves are the only two teams in action tonight in West Group A, and the winner of the game will be in first place either as part of a tie or in the lead.

If the Rockets were to win, another victory on Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings would clinch the group for Houston, but there is a chance the team could also earn a spot in the quarterfinals based on what happens in group play on Friday.

While the Wolves lost to the Portland Trail Blazers earlier in the month, they should not be underestimated. Minnesota has been impressive at home this season, winning five of seven games, so the matchup shouldn't be an easy one for Houston.

Advancing in the NBA Cup will be important for the Rockets in terms of boosting morale, giving the team valuable in-game playoff experience and proving to the rest of the league that they are back in the postseason conversation, so performing well in the tournament is paramount.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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