Size might not matter as much in today's NBA, but it's still a nice thing to have.
The Timberwolves learned that lesson the hard way Saturday night as Yao Ming hit a fadeaway jump hook with 22 seconds remaining to lead the Houston Rockets to a 109-102 win and hand the Wolves their 12th straight loss. The Wolves kept the 7-foot-6 Yao under control for most of the night, holding him to 18 points on 9-of-17 shooting.
He hit the one that counted, though, after Randy Foye had pulled the Wolves to 105-102 with two three-pointers sandwiched around a goaltending call on Yao.
With the loss, the Wolves (4-22) matched their longest losing streak since 1993 and moved within four of the team record set in 1992 and equaled in '94.
They also dropped to 0-7 under coach Kevin McHale with two road games coming up: Tuesday at San Antonio and Friday at New York.
Adding injury to insult, the Wolves lost shooting guard Mike Miller with 6:44 to play in the first period when he reinjured the sprained right ankle that cost him four games earlier this month.
Al Jefferson had 34 points and 13 rebounds, and Foye added 24 for the Wolves, who haven't won since a 105-103 victory at Oklahoma City on Nov. 28.
Tracy McGrady scored 23 points, and Ron Artest added 19 off the bench for the Rockets (18-9), who beat Minnesota for the fifth straight time.
The Wolves missed their first five shots as Houston raced to a 7-0 lead on three-pointers by McGrady and Aaron Brooks and a Luis Scola free throw.
Miller got Minnesota into the scoring column with a three and Jefferson had five points during a 7-0 run that gave the Wolves their first lead at 10-9.
The Rockets answered with a 7-0 run of their own that included a three-pointer by Shane Battier, who hit another three to make it a 19-12 game.
Then it was the Wolves' turn as they ran off eight straight points to take a 20-19 lead on Ryan Gomes' layup and free throw.
A Yao dunk and McGrady jumper put Houston back on top, but Jefferson dunked on Yao, Rashad McCants hit a three-pointer, and the first quarter ended with the Wolves sitting on a 32-30 lead.
Minnesota was outscored 14-3 to start the second period.
Head hit two three-pointers during the Rockets' run, and Chuck Hayes' floater made it 44-35 with 8:38 to play in the half.
The Wolves got it down to 46-42 on a McCants free throw and jumper, but Yao hit a layup after a block on Jefferson and banked in a little hook to help Houston to its 60-51 halftime lead.
After shooting 50 percent (11 for 22) in the first quarter, the Wolves managed just 33 percent (7 of 21) in the second.
