Rockets coast past Timberwolves, 112-101

Posted: November 23, 2013 -- 10:25 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- Despite James Harden's DND: Did Not Dress, due to his sore left foot, the Rockets routed the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-101 Saturday night.

The Rockets (9-5) dominated from the opening tip and never trailed in the ball game.

Terrence Jones nailed a three-pointer to start the ball game. The Rockets raced to a 14-2 lead before Minnesota responded with a 13-2 run to pull within 16-15 with 4:50 left in the first quart.

The Rockets finished the quarter with a 9-3 run and led 25-18 after the first 12 minutes.

The second quarter belonged to Aaron Brooks. Brooks scored 16 points in the quarter on 6 for 7 field goal shooting (4 for 5 on threes). With Brooks' scoring prowess flashing back to his first stint with the Rockets, the Rockets led 55-42 at halftime.

"His second quarter was special," Kevin McHale said. "He really had it going."

Despite shooting 50% (20 for 40) from the floor in the first half and limiting the Timberwolves to 32.7% (17 for 52) shooting, the Rockets' 14 turnovers kept the game from being a blowout.

Patrick Beverley scored a floater to begin the third quarter and Terrence Jones followed with 4 quick points to boost the lead to 19 (61-42) early in the third period.

But, three turnovers in three minutes plus Kevin Love's greatness allowed the Timberwolves to go on a 13-4 run and get within 65-57.

Love finished the third quarter with 15 points and eight rebounds; and, the Rockets led 82-74 after three.

Omri Casspi, Jeremy Lin, and Brooks each nailed a three-point basket in the first 87 seconds of the fourth quarter and increased the lead to 17.

Minnesota didn't get closer than 10 points the rest of the game.

Brooks scored a team-high 26 points (10 for 14 field goals, 6 for 7 threes) and added five assists, four rebounds, and two steals. Six Rockets scored in double digits: Jeremy Lin scored 19; Terrence Jones added 18 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and 2 blocked shots. Patrick Beverley chipped in 17 points (6 for 12, 5 for 8 threes). Chandler Parsons stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 blocked shot. Dwight Howard blocked 4 shots; grabbed 13 rebounds; scored 11 and dished 4 assists.

Brooks' 26 points is his most points since re-joining the Rockets last season. Overall, it stands as his best scoring output since a 28-point outburst with the Rockets versus the Utah Jazz on April 7, 2010.

Brooks said tonight's scorefest didn't feel like old time.

"No, not really," Brooks acknowledged. "It felt like something new. It's been so long ago, I had forgotten what it felt like. I thank God that I had the opportunity to go out there and play."

Rick Adelman, Timberwolves head coach, and former Rockets' head coach wasn't surprised by Brooks' performance.

"Well, I coached him; so, I've seen him do that a lot. It doesn't surprise me," Adelman said.

The biggest negative in the game was the Rockets' 24 team turnovers which the Timberwolves converted into 37 points.

"I think they had 37 points off our turnovers," said McHale. "I've said it since I've been here, because we had a lot of turnovers, there is no defense for turnovers at half court. There is no defense for a throwback at the three point line."

The Rockets made 41 of 79 shots (17 for 31 threes) and dished 26 assists on the buckets. Eight Rockets got at least one assist in the game.

"When your All-Star goes out, It takes a collective group to get it done," Brooks said. "That's what we did. Everybody. Dwight gave up a little bit of himself in scoring; passed it to others. We got the job done."

Note: Kevin McHale updated James Harden's injury status.

"He saw the doctor today; and, they were going to change up the treatment a little bit; and, we'll kind of see where it goes from there. It's been bothering him now for a few weeks.

McHale believes Harden will miss Monday's game against the Grizzlies.

"I think that's the plan as of right now. But, again, we'll see what this new stuff does."

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