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Love leads Minnesota to win over Rockets

Feb 9, 2011 - 7:45 AM Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Kevin Love recorded his 38th consecutive double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds, helping the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 112-108 victory over the Rockets in an extremely tight contest at Toyota Center.

Neither team led by more than six in a game that featured 29 lead changes and 16 ties.

But Love scored 11 of his points in the fourth quarter to help the Timberwolves pull out their second consecutive victory. Minnesota had not won two in a row since the end of December.

Courtney Lee and Kevin Martin both scored 23 points for the Rockets, who had won their last three.

"You've got to give Minnesota credit," said Rockets head coach Rick Adelman. "They shot the heck out of the ball. A lot of guys contributed, made big shots when they had to. We just didn't make enough plays to win."

Houston held a 29-27 edge after the first quarter before Minnesota grabbed a 56-53 lead at the break. Martin scored 10 points in the third frame to help the Rockets go back on top, 85-83, entering the fourth.

It was a back-and-forth game down the stretch, but the Timberwolves had the advantage in the final minute.

They were already up by one after Wayne Ellington sank a jumper with 2:17 on the clock, and neither team scored over the next minute. The Rockets' chances were particularly hurt when Chuck Hayes missed two free throws with 1:09 to play.

Then, with 54 seconds left, Ellington drilled a three for a 108-104 lead. Martin followed with two foul shots, but Love canned a shot from behind the arc on Minnesota's next touch.

Again, Martin got to the line and sank both attempts, bringing Houston within 111-108 with 28.2 seconds remaining. Both teams missed a shot on their next possessions, and Love made 1-of-2 free throws with 5.3 ticks left to secure the victory.

"Played hard, played together, executing on the defensive end, everybody being as one," Ellington said. "We don't have guys out there worrying about themselves. Everybody's worrying about the team, how we're doing, and I think it's been paying off for us."

Game Notes

Lee recorded a season high in points. Luis Scola added 22 points and seven assists for Houston...Ellington finished with 18 points off Minnesota's bench...Houston had won the first two matchups with the Timberwolves this season. They will play one more time, on April 13...Minnesota improved to 4-23 on the road...Rockets guard Aaron Brooks returned to the floor after missing Monday's game against Denver because of a one-game suspension, and scored five points off the bench.