Terrence Jones helps Rockets defeat the Timberwolves

Posted: January 13, 2016 -- 11:35 pm CDT.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets held off a comeback effort by the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night and defeated the T-wolves 107-104. Former Rockets' guard / forward Kevin Martin missed a game-tying 3-point shot attempt to preserved the Rockets fifth win in a row.

Both teams sloshed through muck and mire in the first quarter. The tempo was slow; and, the teams had difficulty holding onto the basketball. The Rockets committed 9 team turnovers in the opening 12 minutes while the Timberwolves turned over the ball seven times.

The Timberwolves led 24-23 at the end of the 1st quarter thanks to a buzzer-beating three-point shot by Nemanja Bjelica.

The Rockets (21-19) scored the first eight points of the second quarter which forced the Timberwolves to call timeout.

James Harden scored 11 points in the quarter; and, more importantly, eight other Rockets scored in the second period which resulted in the Rockets outscoring the Timberwolves 34-26 in the quarter and leading 57-50 at halftime.

Minnesota's Andrew Wiggins heated up in the third quarter and scored 11 points.

The Rockets were outscored 27-24 in the third.

Terrence Jones keyed the Rockets' 11-6 burst in the fourth quarter; and, the Rockets led by nine points (92-83) with 8:43 remaining in the game.

However, Martin scored 7 points and Wiggins added 3 points to tie the game at 93.

Over the next 5:14 of the game, the Rockets went on a 14-7 run which put the Rockets up 107-100 with 1:37 left in the ball game.

After nailing a step-back jumper for the 107-100 lead, James Harden missed a long jump shot; and, Marting scored a driving lay-up.

Next, Harden missed a 22-foot jumper and Minnesota rookie Karl Anthony Towns grabbed the rebound and made both free throws to slice the Rockets' lead to 107-104.

Jason Terry missed a three-point shot attempt and Harden missed a 21-foot step back jump shot with 11.9 seconds remaining.

After a time-out, Kevin Martin missed a contested 25-foot jump shot to seal the Rockets' win.

Terrence Jones scored 16 points and pulled down nine rebounds.

"I’m not really worried about anything I can’t control and just being out there trying to have fun," said Terrence Jones. "I think my teammates have been supporting me. I’m just trying to play without thinking too much about anything else and it’s been working for me.”"

"Terrence has just been playing great basketball," Dwight Howard said. "He’s been working hard every day after practice and before practice getting his reps in, and when he’s out there he’s just doing what he does in practice and it is paying off. We are very happy with what he has been able to bring, especially with D-Mo (Motiejunas) being out. He has really stepped up and playing great basketball."

James Harden led the Rockets with 27 points and 11 assists; and, Dwight Howard added 15 points and 10 rebounds.

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