Chinese center Yao Ming scored 22 points and 15 rebounds for Houston as the Rockets shot down the high-flying Minnesota Timberwolves 95-76 in the National Basketball Association.

Minnesota Timberwolves Latrell Sprewell (8) drives to the basket as Houston Rockets' Yao Ming (11) of China jumps up to defend during the first quarter Saturday, Jan. 17, 2004, in Houston. [AP]

Minnesota managed just 26 points in the first half to see their five-game winning streak snapped.

"We got our (rear end) kicked and that's all you can say about it," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "They came out and dominated us from the beginning to the end. They were very aggressive and they contested us on every shot. This was a game we have to shower off and get ready for the next one."

The Timberwolves had won 18 of their previous 21 games and were coming off road victories over New Orleans and San Antonio. The latter win vaulted them past the Spurs and into first place in the Midwest Division.

But on Sunday Minnesota started badly and got worse. They trailed by 10 points after one quarter, 19 at halftime and 30 late in the third period.

"We just want to forget about this game," Wolves guard Sam Cassell said. "This game wasn't us. We didn't accomplish anything today."

The Wolves missed nine of their first 10 shots in the opening period and 12 of their first 13 in the second quarter. They trailed 39-16 with just over five minutes to go in the first half.

Minnesota broke the franchise record for fewest points in a first half of 27, set April 12, 1997 against Atlanta.

Steve Francis added 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and Maurice Taylor scored 16 points off the bench for the Rockets, who have won three in a row and seven of nine.

"Minnesota is a good team. They're definitely one of the hottest teams," Francis said. "We proved today that we're able to play with the people that are considered the big boys."

Cassell scored 25 points and Kevin Garnett added 19 for the Wolves, who shot just 37 percent (29-of-79) and were manhandled 51-28 on the boards.

During a 9 1/2-minute stretch that bridged the first two quarters, Houston scored 16 straight points while Minnesota missed 13 straight shots.

"We couldn't have thrown a beach ball into the ocean," said Garnett, who made just 7-of-20 shots. "It was not a pretty game."

Yao Ming had 22 points and 15 rebounds, leading the Houston Rockets to a 95-76 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.

The loss snaps Minnesota's five-game winning streak.

Houston had six players in double figures, with Steve Francis scoring 19, Maurice Taylor 16, Cuttino Mobley 13, Jim Jackson 11 and Kelvin Cato 10.

Sam Cassell led Minnesota with 25 points. Kevin Garnett added 19, and Latrell Sprewell had 13.

Houston never trailed, taking an early 31-13 lead after scoring 15 straight.

The Rockets increased their lead to 39-16 in the second quarter. Cassell scored eight points in the final 2:13 of the first half to help cut the Rockets' lead to 45-26. The Timberwolves managed only 13 second-quarter points.

Houston opened the second half by scoring eight straight points to lead 53-26 and built its lead to 30 before Minnesota cut the deficit to 86-73. The Timberwolves never got closer.

Notes:@ For the first time in his NBA career, Yao has had three straight games with 20 or more points and 10 or more rebounds. He also recorded his 17th double-double of the season. ... Houston is 20-4 when leading after the first quarter and 2-12 when trailing after the first period this season. ... Minnesota hit only seven of its first 34 shots. ... Minnesota plays 16 of its next 25 games at home.

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