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Rockets hold off Timberwolves 119-113 in OT
Tracy McGrady had 40 points, 13 rebounds and a clutch 3-pointer in overtime to lead the Houston Rockets to a 119-113 overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
Sam Cassell had 24 points and 11 assists, but missed a potential game-winner for the Timberwolves at the end of the fourth quarter.
Kevin Garnett had 22 points and 14 rebounds, Trenton Hassell scored a season-high 19 points and Wally Szczerbiak added 18 as Minnesota lost its fourth straight and was outrebounded for the ninth consecutive time.
The Wolves, who went 3-for-10 from the field in overtime, cut it to 115-113 on a driving layup by Cassell with 13.5 seconds remaining. But McGrady made four free throws in the closing seconds.
This was an important game for playoff positioning, because the Rockets (26-22) and Timberwolves (24-23) entered as the seventh- and ninth-place teams in the loaded Western Conference.
Sura and Cassell, once teammates at Florida State, each missed long field goals with less than 2 minutes to go in regulation. Sura's next attempt was off again, but Cassell sank a vintage 17-footer over David Wesley that gave the Wolves a 104-102 lead with 27 seconds remaining.
After a 29-point loss to Phoenix at home on Wednesday night, the Timberwolves skipped practice — per usual routine following back-to-back games. They went together across the street to an arcade for some bowling, rejuvenation and rekindling of their camaraderie.
Minnesota built a 33-26 lead after one period and was in front for most of the first half — playing with more energy than earlier in the week.
Third quarters haven't been kind to the Wolves, who were significantly outscored (31-17 by Sacramento, 23-11 by Milwaukee and 35-15 by Phoenix) during the period while losing their past three games.
And this one was no different, with the Rockets outscoring them 29-21 en route to a 83-79 lead.
Yao, who fumbled with the ball often and looked out of his element in the first half, got it going after halftime and scored seven points in the third.
Houston went 9-for-12 from the foul line, and Minnesota never even made it there. The Rockets grabbed seven offensive rebounds, and the Wolves got one.
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