McGrady leads Rockets to rout of T’Wolves

Juwan Howard scored 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting for Houston, which has won five of its last six games. Luther Head added 20 points and tied a career- high with five three-pointers for the Rockets, who won four of five during their homestand.

"That’s the type of team we need to be night in and night out," said McGrady. "We had great energy, defensive intensity and execution. We need to be consistent about that, and if we do, we can be one heck of a ballclub." I think you have to be hungry. We have to be one of these teams that understands how good we really can be. I think tonight we really showed that."

Kevin Garnett deposited 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for Minnesota, which has lost four straight and 10 of its last 12 games. Randy Foye added 13 points for the Timberwolves.

"Our guard play was atrocious," Timberwolves head coach Randy Wittman said. "There was no direction at all. I didn’t recognize what we were doing offensively. I don’t know what to do, but I have to find the answer. If you have good guard play in this league, you have a shot, but we are not getting any guard play."

Houston went on a 7-2 surge, highlighted by a McGrady follow-up dunk, to end the first quarter and took a 21-15 lead heading into the second.

Leading 36-28, the Rockets pulled away with a 14-2 run. McGrady scored seven during the stretch.

Houston took a 50-30 advantage into the half.

The Rockets continued to dominate in the third quarter as the lead ballooned to 30, 82-52 thanks to a 17-7 run to end the stanza. McGrady scored 16 during the session.

Both teams played their reserves in the fourth quarter.

Game Notes

Houston outrebounded Minnesota 45-36...Houston committed just seven turnovers...Minnesota has dropped seven of its last eight on the road...The two teams split the season series, 2-2.