NBA: Houston 105, Minnesota 94

MINNEAPOLIS, March 1 (UPI) -- Ron Artest scored 23 points and Aaron Brooks had 22 for the Houston Rockets, who broke open a close game in the third quarter Sunday and beat Minnesota 105-94.

Brooks also contributed 10 assists and Yao Ming had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the Rockets' seventh win in eight games.

Houston led by just a point at halftime but used a 17-0 third-quarter run to pull away.

Randy Foye's 24 points led the Timberwolves, who have dropped six straight games and 11-of-12. Craig Smith added 20 points.