Minneapolis, MN -- (Sports Network) - Luis Scola poured in 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, as the Houston Rockets handed the Minnesota Timberwolves their 11th straight loss after claiming a 97-84 win at Target Center.

Trevor Ariza had 18 points for the Rockets, who have won nine straight against Minnesota. Aaron Brooks ended with 13 points while Charles Hayes chipped in 11 points and 10 rebounds for Houston.

"I think this type of game is very important for us. We can't afford to lose," said Scola.

Al Jefferson returned to the lineup for the Timberwolves after missing two games due to the death of his grandmother and tallied 20 points and 10 rebounds. Ramon Sessions added 16 points and five assists off the bench for Minnesota, which hasn't reached the win column since a 95-93 victory over New Jersey in its season opener back on October 28.

"I didn't feel like they were ready to play. They should have brought more energy. They played a team that played last night. They did in small pockets and short periods of time but they didn't sustain it," said Minnesota head coach Kurt Rambis.

Ahead 79-76, Houston ripped off six consecutive points to essentially seal the win. Carl Landry and Kyle Lowry made jumpers before Hayes made it a 85-76 game with 5 1/2 minutes to play in the fourth.

Minnesota never got closer than seven the rest of the way.

The Rockets led 23-21 after 12 minutes, but the Timberwolves opened the second with seven straight points. A pair of Sessions dunks and a Sasha Pavlovic trey made it 28-23 in favor of Minnesota just over two minutes in.

Down, 34-29, Houston went on a 15-2 run to take the lead. Scola had eight points during the stretch that Ariza capped off with a three-pointer for a 44-36 margin with 1 1/2 minutes to go. The Rockets took a 48-42 lead into the locker room.

Trailing 63-54, Minnesota used a 13-3 flurry to take the lead back. Damien Wilkins made a technical free throw to cap the run and put the Timberwolves up 67-66. A Kyle Lowry jumper gave the Rockets a one-point edge heading to the fourth.

Game Notes

Houston made 12-of-28 three-pointers, while the Timberwolves made just 4-of-15 shots from beyond the arc...The Rockets took all four meetings with Minnesota last season...Minnesota is in the midst of its longest losing run since a 13- game slide from November 29-December 23, 2008.