Rockets 129, Timberwolves 106: James Harden had 28 points and eight assists as host Houston cruised past Minnesota.

Donatas Motiejunas scored a career-best 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting and Chandler Parsons added 19 points and nine rebounds as the Rockets won a second straight game without injured Dwight Howard (ankle). Patrick Beverley added 14 points as Houston moved within 1 1/2 games of the third-place Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference.

Kevin Love scored 29 points and rookie Gorgui Dieng established season highs of 22 points and 21 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Chase Budinger added 11 points as Minnesota had a two-game winning streak halted.

The Rockets were 16-of-38 from 3-point range with Harden sinking six and Beverley knocking down four. The Timberwolves were 12-of-28 from behind the arc with Love making five.

Houston ripped off 17 consecutive points to turn a 10-point second-quarter deficit into a seven-point lead and took a 64-54 edge into the break. A basket by Jones increased the lead to 20 points 4 1/2 minutes into the third quarter and the Rockets led comfortably the entire fourth quarter.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Houston held a 60-44 edge in points in the paint despite the absence of Howard. … Dieng has posted three straight double-doubles while starting in place of injured C Nikola Pekovic (ankle). … Rockets C Omer Asik had 12 points and four blocked shots while starting for Howard.