Houston Rockets Team Report - January 18

(Basketball News) - Yao Ming scored 22 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as the Houston Rockets throttled the Minnesota Timberwolves, 95-76, on Saturday at the Toyota Center. Steve Francis added 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Rockets, who have won three straight and seven of nine.

Yao’s play impressed Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy. "I thought he was very active," said Van Gundy. "Whenever he gets some offensive rebounds that helps, and when he gets open shots that helps.

"He had a bit of a lull there for four or five games, but recently he’s really played well."

The Rockets had huge advantages over Minnesota in rebounding (51-28) and points in the paint (44-22). Houston has scored 90 or more points in five straight games — all since setting a franchise-record low for points in a game with an 85-66 loss to Detroit on January 7.

Yao’s double-double was his 17th of the season.

The Rockets are off until Monday when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies.