MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (AFP) — Yao Ming scored 18 points, including a key jump shot with 22 seconds to play Saturday to help the Houston Rockets to a 109-102 National Basketball Association victory over Minnesota.

Tracy McGrady scored 23 points for Houston, who survived a late surge by the Timberwolves.
Minnesota pulled to within three as Randy Foye - who has struggled all season - staged an 8-0 run by himself, sandwiching a layup around a pair of 3-pointers to cut the deficit to 105-102.
But Yao responded, hitting a jumper to extend Houston’s lead.
Foye finished with 24 points, while Al Jefferson registered a season-high 34 and 13 boards.
Saturday’s game was the second of four games in five nights for Houston. The Rockets get one day off before facing New Jersey on Monday.