Towns' season-high 40 points leads Minnesota over Houston

Published Jan. 9, 2022 9:40 p.m. ET

Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns scored a season-high 40 points, D’Angelo Russell added 22 points and 10 assists and the Minnesota Timberwolves won their fourth straight game, beating the Houston Rockets 141-123 on Sunday night.

Towns scored 22 points in the first half as Minnesota built a 75-54 lead at the break. He finished 15 of 25 from the floor and added nine rebounds and seven assists.

Jarred Vanderbilt had career-highs of 21 points and 19 rebounds, Anthony Edwards had 19 points and six assists, and Malik Beasley scored 13 points for Minnesota. The Timberwolves shot 51%, including 56% in the first half, and were 15 for 42 on 3-pointers.

Minnesota, which scored a season high in points, scored 74 points in the paint and 31 fast-break points.

Christian Wood finished with 22 points and eight rebounds, Josh Christopher scored 19 points and Garrison Matthews had 14 points off the bench for Houston, which lost for the 10th time in 11 games.

Eric Gordon scored 13 points, and Kenyon Martin Jr. had 13 points and seven rebounds for the Rockets, who shot 47% and were 14 for 43 on 3-pointers.

Leading 52-42 midway through the second quarter, the Timberwolves used a 23-8 run to push the lead to 25 points on two free throws by Towns with 1 ½ minutes remaining in the first half. Russell had nine points in the run.

TIP-INS

Timberwolves: G Patrick Beverley missed his second straight game with a sore right groin. … G Leandro Bolmaro missed a second straight game due to health and safety protocols. … Minnesota tied a season-high with 75 first-half points. … Jaylen Nowell scored 11 points.

Rockets: G Armoni Brooks was out of the lineup due to health and safety protocols. … C Alperen Sengun missed his fifth straight game with a right ankle sprain … F Usman Garuba (health and safety protocols) missed his fourth straight game. … Jalen Green and Jae’Sean Tate each scored 10 points.

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: At New Orleans on Tuesday.

Rockets: Host Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.

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