National Basketball Association

Harden leads Rockets past Timberwolves, 116-111

Published Mar. 19, 2016 12:52 a.m. ET

foxsports

HOUSTON (AP) James Harden had 29 points and 14 assists as the Houston Rockets bounced back from an ugly loss to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-111 on Friday night.

Harden's final assist came on a fast-break pass to Trevor Ariza for a dunk in transition with less than 15 seconds remaining to put away the game.

After allowing 72 points in the first half of a 122-106 blowout at the hands of the Clippers, the Rockets held Minnesota to 52 first-half points, including just 23 in the first quarter. Houston ranks among the league's worst in first-quarter points allowed.

Houston has won 10 of its last 11 games against Minnesota, including seven straight at home.

Karl-Anthony Towns led Minnesota with 32 points and 11 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins had 21 points, and Shabazz Muhammad scored 12 off the bench.