Rockets pull away from Timberwolves down the stretch

Posted: February 23, 2015 -- 11:25 pm.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- Terrence Jones' return to the starting line-up helped the Rockets defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-102 Monday night. Jones made his first start since November 3, 2014, at Philadelphia; and, Jones produced his third double-double of the season with 15 points and a season-high 15 rebounds.

"I have just been trying to stay focused and in tune with everything," Jones said. "I just think it is paying off now."

James Harden tallied his second triple-double of this season (4th of his career) Monday night with 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Kevin McHale inserted Terrence Jones into the starting line-up "to see D-Mo (Donatas Motiejunas) and him together a little bit more and see what we got with those guys. T.J. has been solid."

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Despite making just one three-point shot (out of 10 attempts), the Rockets (38-18) led 26-25 at end of the first quarter. Harden missed all six of his field goals in the period.

Both teams made 11 of 21 field goals in the second quarter. Minnesota (12-43) turned the ball over 8 times in the quarter; however, the T-wolves dominated the glass 15-5 to help outscore the Rockets 31-30 in the game's second 12 minutes.

The game was tied at 56 at halftime.

In the third quarter, James Harden did a little bit of everything. Harden scored 11 points, pulled down five rebounds, dished out four assists, and picked up two steals to help the Rockets outscore the Timberwolves 28-19 in the period.

The Rockets led 84-75 after three quarters and stretched the lead to 92-78 with 9:30 remaining in the fourth quarter; however, Minnesota's sensational rookie Andrew Wiggins scored seven consecutive points during a 10-0 run to slice the Rockets' lead to just four points (92-88) with 6:12 on the clock.

The Timberwolves pulled within one (97-96); but, Terrence Jones was huge on the boards on consecutive Rockets' possessions: first, Jones tipped in a missed three-point shot attempt by teammate Jason Terry; and, second, Jones  pulled down an offensive rebound and was fouled on the putback attempt. Jones made both free throws for a 101-96 Rockets' lead.

Jones' four quick points kick-started a 14-2 run by the Rockets to put the game away in the final seconds.

"TJ has been playing well since his return," said Harden. "He's brought us a lot of energy rebounding the basketball, scoring the basketball and blocking shots. He's doing everything. That gives us another option on the court. That helps us a lot."

Both teams crashed the boards throughout the ball game and combined for 114 total rebounds in the game.

Wiggins finished the game with 30 points (12 for 24 field goals) and six rebounds.

"The game was full of runs," Wiggins commented. "They played hard for a stretch and we played hard for a stretch and it all comes down to the last couple of minutes."

Harden's 31 points led seven Rockets in double-digit scoring.

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