Anthony Edwards scores 24 points, West leading Timberwolves beat Rockets 122 95

HOUSTON (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 24 points, Karl Anthony Towns had 22 and the Western Conference leading Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Houston Rockets 122 95 on Friday night. Edwards had a relatively quiet game considering he entered the night averaging 36.3 points in his previous four games.

He had scored at least 25 points in 10 straight games but went 8 for 17 from the field in 32 minutes Friday. Towns added eight rebounds and six assists. Jalen Green led Houston with 20 points, Alperen Sengun had 19 points and Jabari Smith Jr. added 16. The Rockets are 2 4 on a seven game homestand. Houston has lost eight of the last nine meetings with Minnesota.

The outsized Rockets were outscored 60 46 in the paint and outrebounded 51 39. Minnesota led by 33 and entered the fourth quarter up 84 72. Rockets forward Dillon Brooks remained sidelined for a fifth straight game because of a strained right abdominal oblique. Houston briefly led in the first quarter but trailed much of the game.

Minnesota held a 56 46 lead at halftime. UP NEXT Timberwolves: At Dallas on Sunday night. Rockets: Host Milwaukee on Saturday night. ___ AP NBA:.