Final
Harden's triple-double leads Rockets over T-wolves
Feb 24, 2015 - 5:19 AMVideo
Harden added 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double of the season and Josh Smith scored 17 points off the bench for the Rockets, who have won two in a row to start a five-game homestand.
"Even though they don't have a good record, they have a good record," Harden said of the Wolves. "We just had to fight our way through it."
Corey Brewer had 11 points off the bench for Houston in his first game against the Timberwolves since they traded him to the Rockets in December. Houston got 15 points and 15 rebounds from Terrence Jones, 12 points from Donatas Motiejunas and 10 points from Trevor Ariza.
Rookie Andrew Wiggins scored 30 points on his 20th birthday to lead Minnesota, his third 30-point game this season. Kevin Martin added 21 points and Nikola Pekovic had 16 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.
"We just didn't have enough at the end," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said.
The game was tied at halftime but Harden scored 11 points in the third quarter and the Rockets held Minnesota under 14 percent shooting (4-of-29) to build an 84-75 lead going into the fourth.
Jason Terry's 3-pointer with 7:11 remaining in the quarter capped a 7-0 run that gave Houston the lead for good.
The Rockets led by as much as 14 in the fourth. The margin dipped to one with three minutes remaining, but Houston scored 14 of the next 16 points to remain in control.
Wiggins led all players with eight points in the first quarter and Minnesota went up by as much as seven. The Rockets didn't take their first lead until Harden's free throws made it 26-25 going into the second.
Martin scored 13 in the second quarter for the Timberwolves, who came back from a seven-point deficit early on to earn a 56-56 tie at halftime.
Game Notes
Adreian Payne had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves ... The Rockets are 3-0 against Minnesota this season and 7-1 in the last eight meetings. The teams will meet again on March 27 in Houston ... Kevin Garnett, re-acquired by the Timberwolves at the trade deadline, isn't expected to be in the lineup until Wednesday's home game against Washington ... Houston hosts the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
- MINNESOTA: 102
HOUSTON: 113
Final
Feb 23 10:35 PM - 161
roots - 100
roots - 125
roots - MINNESOTA: 75
HOUSTON: 84
End of 3rd
Feb 23 9:55 PM - MINNESOTA: 56
HOUSTON: 56
Halftime
Feb 23 9:11 PM - MINNESOTA: 25
HOUSTON: 26
End of 1st
Feb 23 8:36 PM - MINNESOTA: 0
HOUSTON: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Feb 23 8:11 PM
Related News
- NBA Injury Updates: Karl Anthony Towns and Ben Simmons to Miss Significant Time Mar 7
- Knicks Robbed By Late Call on Jalen Brunson Feb 13
- Houston Rockets vs. Indiana Pacers game preview Dec 26
- Alperen Sengun’s career night lifts Rockets over Pelicans 106-104 Dec 24
- Wolves 110, Kings 98: Ant Crowned the King Dec 24
- LISTEN: Kiss Of Death, Episode 70: Regular Season Game 27 - Rockets defeat Pelicans Dec 23
- Game Preview #28: Wolves at Kings Dec 23
- Rockets hope to snatch one from Pelicans before Christmas Dec 23
- Wolves’ NBA 2K24 Ratings Jump as Team Continues To Soar Dec 23
- LISTEN: Kiss Of Death, Episode 69: Regular Season Game 26 - Rockets defeat Mavericks Dec 23
- Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans game preview Dec 23
- Rockets dump shorthanded Mavericks 122-96 Dec 23