Harden drops 27 to lead Rockets past Timberwolves

Houston Rockets’ Jason Terry (31) dropped crucial buckets as the Rockets outlasted the Timberwolves. AP

HOUSTON – James Harden had 27 points and 11 assists and the Houston Rockets got their season-high fifth straight win, 107-104 over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time).

Minnesota lost its season-worst eighth in a row.

The Timberwolves stuck around the entire second half. They trailed by three when Jason Terry made a 3-pointer with about two minutes left to extend Houston’s lead to 105-99.

Harden followed with a jump shot before Minnesota got a layup from Kevin Martin and a pair of free throws from Karl-Anthony Towns to get within 107-104.

Minnesota had a chance to tie it just before the buzzer, but Martin’s 3-point attempt didn’t even touch the rim.

Andrew Wiggins had 28 points and Towns had 12 points and 16 rebounds for the Timberwolves.

Dwight Howard added 15 points and 10 rebounds and Terrence Jones came off the bench to score 16 with nine rebounds for the Rockets.

The Timberwolves opened the fourth quarter with a 6-1 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Nemanja Bjelica to take an 83-82 lead with 10 1/2 minutes remaining.

They wouldn’t have the lead for long as the Rockets scored the next 10 points to make it 92-83. Howard started that stretch with a reverse dunk that he was fouled on. He missed the free throw, but Jones tipped in the rebound for Houston and also made a 3-pointer in that span.

Harden later made a free throw for the 10,000th point in his career.

Houston led 57-50 at halftime and 81-77 after three quarters.