Howard leads Rockets past Timberwolves 107-89
MINNEAPOLIS - Dwight Howard had 18 points and 15 rebounds, and the surging Houston Rockets used a fourth-quarter push to hold off the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-89 Monday night for their sixth consecutive victory.
Chandler Parsons had 20 points and James Harden scored 19 for the Rockets, who have won six straight for the first time since taking seven in a row from Jan. 13-23, 2012.
Back after missing one game with a bruised left quadriceps, Kevin Love led Minnesota with 31 points and 10 rebounds. Chase Budinger had 15 points and Alexey Shved scored 11 off the bench for the Timberwolves, who have lost four straight and six of seven.
Love's strong game - including a career-best 23 first-half points - was needed because Minnesota played without starting guard Kevin Martin (broken thumb) and center Nikola Pekovic (right ankle bursitis).
Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman also was absent due to personal reasons. He is expected back Wednesday.
Assistant coach Terry Porter filled in for Adelman.
After its 15-point lead had dwindled to four, Houston scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter to push its lead to 93-78. Parsons had a pair of fast-break layups and a dunk to spark the run.
This time, the Rockets did not let Minnesota counter with a run, outscoring the Timberwolves 25-11 in the quarter.
Down by nine at the break, Minnesota scored the first six points of the second half, but Patrick Beverley had five of his 14 points as Houston countered with a 12-0 spurt to extend its lead to 79-64.
The Rockets then began to work the shot clock, but couldn't get shots to fall. Instead, a 12-3 run got Minnesota within four heading into the fourth quarter.
Behind 10 points from Harden - including a pair of 3-pointers - Houston led 34-28 after one. Love had 17 points in the quarter, including 15 straight at one point for the Timberwolves.
Houston had two dunks and a pair of layups as part of a 10-2 run that bumped the lead to 56-45 with 3:43 to play in the second. The Rockets led 67-58 at the break, the most points Minnesota has allowed in a first half this season.
NOTES: The Timberwolves were 21 for 21 from the free throw line, but had no attempts in the fourth quarter. ... Minnesota starting forward Corey Brewer and center Ronny Turiaf were a combined 3 for 8, scoring just seven points in 48 minutes. ... Houston is home Wednesday against Washington, its lone home game in an eight-game span.