Rockets, T’wolves square off in Texas

Minnesota plays the finale of a three-game road trip. On Saturday, Jason Terry and Josh Howard both scored 22 points as the Dallas Mavericks held on to defeat the Timberwolves, 94-93, at American Airlines Center.

All-star Kevin Garnett scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the loss to Dallas for Minnesota, while Ricky Davis ended with 20 points for the Timberwolves, who have dropped nine of their last 11 games overall.

The Timberwolves are 9-16 on the road this season. They have dropped six of their last seven as the visitor.

Houston will also try to get back on the winning track, as it plays the finale of a five-game homestand. Devin Brown led a balanced scoring attack with 18 points as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets defeated the Rockets, 87-74, on Saturday at the Toyota Center.

Tracy McGrady scored 18 for Houston, which tied season lows for points in a first quarter, 15 and first half, 30. Luther Head netted 14 and Bonzi Wells registered 13 points for the Rockets who had a four-game winning streak halted.

The Rockets are 16-6 at home this season. After tonight’s contest, they will hit the road and visit Memphis on Tuesday and Dallas on Friday.

This is the fourth and final meeting of the campaign between the squads. Minnesota won two of the three previous contests.

The Timberwolves have lost five of nine and six of their last 11 at Houston.