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Rockets open homestand vs. Timberwolves

Feb 8, 2011 - 3:50 PM (Sports Network) - The Houston Rockets will begin a four-game homestand tonight at the Toyota Center against a team they have dominated in the past, the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Rockets will also welcome Dallas, Denver and Philadelphia to Space City and are 14-10 as the host this season. They have won 13 straight matchups with the Timberwolves, including two this season, and are 16-4 in the past 20 contests between the teams. Minnesota has dropped eight straight in Houston and hasn't prevailed in this series since Jan. 7, 2007 -- a 103-99 OT victory.

Houston has won three in a row overall and is coming off Monday's 108-103 victory over Carmelo Anthony and the Nuggets. Anthony poured in 50 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome a Rockets team that was led by Kevin Martin's 37 points and seven assists. Luis Scola scored 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Rockets, who got 12 points and 10 rebounds from Chuck Hayes.

"We just tried to play the game and when we had the lead we wanted to finish it off," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "It was just one of those games where you just have to stick with it."

Adelman's club posted 21 points off of 20 Denver turnovers. Rockets guard Aaron Brooks missed last night's game due to a one-game suspension and is eligible to return tonight. Brooks, last year's Most Improved Player, walked off the court in the middle of the fourth quarter during Saturday's overtime win versus Memphis after being taken out of the game.

Minnesota will continue a three-game road trip tonight and opened the trek with last night's 104-92 victory in New Orleans behind 27 points and 17 rebounds from Kevin Love. It was the All-Star's 37th consecutive double- double.

Michael Beasley scored 14 points before leaving in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury and is questionable for tonight. Jonny Flynn had 13 points and six assists for the Wolves, who won for just the third time in 17 tries and ended a six-game road losing skid.

"We came out in the second half and started to turn the ball over," Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis said. "We're trying to get the guys to understand how well and effective they can play when they move the basketball."

The Timberwolves will also visit Indiana on the road swing and are only 3-23 away from the Target Center this season. Wolves center Darko Milicic exited Monday's game with a hip problem and is questionable Tuesday, while guard Luke Ridnour (personal) could miss another game.