NBA: Wiggins hot but Rockets dump Wolves

HOUSTON - James Harden capped his second triple-double of the season with a backbreaking 3-pointer in the waning moments to help the Houston Rockets fend off the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-102 on Monday night at Toyota Center.
Paced by a powerful two-way performance by rookie forward Andrew Wiggins (30 points, seven rebounds), the Timberwolves (12-43) erased a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit with an 18-5 run that included a Wiggins 3-pointer and a three-point play, the latter with 4:03 to play.
But the Rockets (38-18) finally discovered their touch from deep, with Harden nailing their second 3-pointer with 1:33 left for a 107-98 lead.
Harden finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as well as a career-high-tying four blocks. Forward Terrence Jones, who made his return to the starting lineup, added 15 points and 15 rebounds, including a pair of crucial offensive boards to help seal the victory.
Minnesota guard Kevin Martin had 21 points while center Nikola Pekovic posted a double-double of 16 points and 13 boards. Rockets forward Josh Smith added 17 points off the bench before fouling out.
Wiggins’ defense on Harden set an early tone for Minnesota, with Harden missing all six of his first-period shots as Wiggins provided a stiff challenge with his exceptional length and complementary footwork.
While Harden scuffled, the Timberwolves dashed to a 16-9 lead before Houston clawed back with its proficiency in the paint. The Rockets missed 9 of 10 from behind the arc in the first but had 18 paint points.
But just when the Rockets ran their way to a 32-25 lead on a transition dunk from forward Trevor Ariza, Minnesota responded with a 9-0 blitz sparked by Martin, who tallied seven points during that run to the lead. Wiggins pushed the lead to 42-39 with his transition dunk at the 4:25 mark of the second and, when Martin followed a flubbed 4-on-1 fast break by the Rockets with a four-point possession, Minnesota led 54-51.
Harden responded as only he could, converting a daring drive to the basket before nailing a 3-pointer with 0.03 seconds left to square the contest at 56-56 entering the break. The Rockets caught fire nailing 4 of 9 3-pointers in the third quarter, but their 14-point lead early in the fourth evaporated quickly once Wiggins got himself going yet again.
NOTES: With Rockets G Patrick Beverley sidelined due to flu-like symptoms, G Jason Terry made his fifth start of the season. Houston also was without F Kostas Papanikolaou (right ankle sprain). ... Rockets F Terrence Jones rejoined the starting lineup, replacing C Joey Dorsey. Jones started the first four games of the season before being sidelined 41 games with nerve damage in his left leg. Jones averaged 7.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in eight games off the bench. ... Timberwolves F Shabazz Muhammad underwent successful surgery Monday morning to repair a ruptured ligament on his left middle finger. Muhammad, a viable Comeback Player of the Year candidate averaging 13.5 points and 4.1 rebounds, will miss the remainder of the season.