7 p.m. vs. Houston • Target Center • FSN, 830-AM

Red-hot Rockets seek to end Wolves' run

Preview: The Timberwolves, winners of 13 in a row at home, recalled rookie C Justin Patton from Iowa and brought back two-way contract players Amile Jefferson and Anthony Brown while the G League is on a 10-day break. Patton will have his healing foot examined again while in the Twin Cities. He has played 25 games for the Iowa Wolves on his road back from July foot surgery. None of the three is expected to play in the two games left before this weekend's All-Star break. … The Rockets (42-13) have won eight in a row and 12 of 13 after beating the Wolves 116-98 on Jan. 18 in Houston. They swept a four-game trip to San Antonio, Cleveland, Brooklyn and Miami and most recently beat Denver and Dallas at home. The Rockets also have won 15 of the past 17 games with the Wolves. … This is the second game of the four-game season series and Houston's first visit to Target Center. The Wolves are planning a Chinese New Year celebration, including pregame and halftime performances.

Player to watch: Houston G James Harden was named Western Conference player of the week Monday for the second week in a row, after he averaged 33.0 points, 6.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in four victories. The NBA's leading scorer at 31.3 ppg, Harden is trying to join Michael Jordan in 1988-89 as the only players to average at least 30.0 points, 8.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game over a season since 1973-74.

Numbers: The Rockets have scored 100 or more points in each of the past 14 games between the teams, including 120 or more five times.

Injuries: Rockets F Trevor Ariza (hamstring strain) is listed as out.

JERRY ZGODA