MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to find any sense of traction this season and will have yet another chance to win back-to-back games for the first time when they play at home Saturday night.Standing in Minnesotas way is just the team on the hottest streak in the NBA: the Houston Rockets.The Timberwolves (7-18) host Houston on Saturday night after the Rockets (20-7) won their ninth game in a row on Friday, beating the New Orleans Pelicans 122-100 in Houston.We came in today and had a different swagger about us, Minnesota center Karl-Anthony Towns told the Minneapolis Star Tribune a day after the Timberwolves 99-94 comeback win in Chicago. A different swagger that we have never had; an arrogance in a way that great teams have.Minnesota recovered from a 21-point deficit against the Bulls, the largest comeback in the NBA this season. The Timberwolves felt good about themselves and also had three days off before the Rockets come to town.But its a Minnesota team that hasnt won two games in a row all season. The Timberwolves hope something changed this time.I think, in Chicago, thats the first time we played team basketball, forward Gorgui Dieng told the Star Tribune.Minnesota can benefit from back-to-back practices as well, a rare occurrence rare in todays NBA. The young Timberwolves need the practice as much as anyone as they continue to learn the ways of new coach Tom Thibodeau.For us, practicing hard and practicing well is critical, Thibodeau told the Star Tribune. It is not punishment, but it is what we need to do to build habits. This is all about building habits and building a foundation.Tuesdays comeback was made possible because of defense. It was the first time in 10 games that Minnesota had held a team below 100 points. Chicago scored 56 total points in the final three quarters.Stopping the Rockets is a more daunting task.The Rockets entered Friday second in the league in scoring with 122.8 points per game. That was before Houston bombarded New Orleans.Houston hit 24 3-pointers in Fridays win against the Pelicans. The total broke a mark the 2013 Rockets shared with the 2009 Orlando Magic. They shot 61 3-pointers in the win, breaking another record they had set earlier this season when they shot 50 in a game.It was one of those nights where it didnt feel like we put up 60 3s, said forward Ryan Anderson, who was 2 of 8 from 3. They were in-motion shots, they were good shots.Eric Gordon was 7 of 12 on 3-point shots in scoring 29 points. James Harden was 6 of 12 from beyond the arc on the way to his sixth triple-double of the season with 29 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds. Trevor Ariza added five 3s and scored 20 points.We can still be better, Gordon said. I wouldnt doubt that before the season is over well break that record (for 3-pointers made) again.I think itll happen again for sure. A lot of teams like to load up trying to not let us get layups and it forces us to shoot 3s. Its like, Why not? I think well have that chance again.Harden also passed Hakeem Olajuwon with his 15th triple-double for Houston, the most in team history.The Rockets have played twice while the Timberwolves rested and practiced. Houston also put up 132 points in a win on Wednesday over Sacramento, which scored just 98 points in the game.Cheap New York Mets Jerseys . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. Cheap Tim Tebow Jersey . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. http://www.cheapmetsjerseys.com/ . 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It was his 41st career home run at Rogers Centre, his highest total at any road stadium.With his 535th career homer, Ortiz moved past Jimmie Foxx into sole possession of 18th place on baseballs career list. He also increased his RBI total to 110, the most by a player age 40 or above since Dave Winfield had 108 for Toronto in 1992.Edwin Encarnacion homered twice and Troy Tulowitzki hit his third career grand slam for the Blue Jays, who are tied with Baltimore for the wild-card lead. Bo Schultz (0-1) got the loss.Robbie Ross Jr. (3-2) got two outs for the win. Craig Kimbrel, the ninth Boston pitcher, worked the ninth for his 25th save.CUBS 9, ASTROS 5HOUSTON -- Jorge Soler and Addison Russell homered to lead Chicago past Houston, moving the Cubs closer to clinching the NL Central.Soler hit a solo home run as part of Chicagos four-run third, and Russell hit a two-run shot -- his 20th of the season -- in the fourth as the Cubs built a 9-0 lead.Chicago extended its lead in the NL Central to 16 games over St. Louis.Houston fell 9 1/2 games behind Texas in the AL West and 3 1/2 back of Toronto and Baltimore in the wild-card race.Jake Arrieta (17-6) allowed three runs on four hits with three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.Jose Altuve, Yulieski Gurriel and Evan Gattis hit solo homers for the Astros. Mike Fiers (10-7) was tagged for seven runs on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings.ORIOLES 3, TIGERS 1DETROIT -- Chris Tillman pitched six impressive innings in his return from the disabled list, leading the Orioles to the win.Michael Bourn and Jonathan Schoop homered off Justin Verlander (14-8) as Baltimore moved into a tie with Toronto for second in the AL East and the top spot in the wild-card standings. The Orioles begin a three-game series with the division-leading Red Sox on Monday night.Detroit fell two games behind the wild cards. The Yankees are also two back of the Orioles and Blue Jays.Tillman (16-5) allowed a run and four hits after being activated before the game. He hadnt pitched since Aug. 20 because of right shoulder bursitis.Three relievers finished for the Orioles, with Zach Britton pitching the ninth for his 41st save in 41 chances.GIANTS 5, DIAMONDBACKS 3PHOENIX -- Matt Moore struck out 11 in seven innings and Hunter Pence hit a key two-run double, helping San Francisco to the series sweep.The Giants pulled within three games of NL West-leading Los Angeles, which lost 3-0 at Miami. San Francisco leads the wild-card standings.Moore (10-11) gave up two runs and eight hits. Hunter Strickland got four outs for his third save of the season.The Giants swept a road series from Arizona for the second time this season and sent the Diamondbacks to their sixth straight loss.Arizona ace Zack Greinke (12-6) allowed three runs and six hits in six innings.RAYS 4, YANKEES 2NEW YORK -- Corey Dickerson hit a two-run homer, Matt Andriese won for the first time since June and the Rays stopped the Yankees seven-game winning streak.Logan Forsythe and Brad Miller also went deep for the last-place Rays, who had lost three straight and six of seven. Andriese (7-7) pitched five innings of one-run ball and Alex Colome got three quick outs for his 32nd save.Chase Headley homered and Brett Gardner had an RBI single among his three hits for the Yankees, who are two games back of Toronto and Baltimore for the top spot in the wild-card standings.Rookie right-hander Luis Cessa (4-1) gave up all three Rays homers in 5 2/3 innings.ROYALS 2, WHITE SOX 0CHICAGO -- Ian Kennedy and three relievers combined on a two-hitter, helping the Royals beat Chris Sale and the White Sox.Kendrys Morales homered on Sales first pitch of the second and Eric Hosmer did the same in the fourth. The Royals are four games behind Baltimore and Detroit for the top spot in the AL wild-card standings.Kennedy (11-9) walked four, but Adam Eatons leadoff single was the only hit off the right-hander in six innings. Wade Davis worked the ninth for his 24th save.Sale (15-8) struck out 12 in eight innings while becoming the first White Sox pitcher with four consecutive 200-strikeout seasons.METS 10, BRAVES 3ATLANTA -- Yoenis Cespedes hit a grand slam for New York, and Seth Lugo won his fourth straight start.The Mets have won seven of eight and are 16-5 since Aug. 20. They moved back into position for the second NL wild card, a half-game ahead of the Cardinals.Lugo (4-2) allowed two runs in seven innings. The rookie is 3-1 with a 1.99 ERA in five career starts. He joined the rotationn on Aug.dddddddddddd19.Cespedes drove in the games first five runs off Williams Perez (2-3), who struck out two in 2 2/3 innings. Perez left the game with right triceps impingement.BREWERS 2, CARDINALS 1ST. LOUIS -- Ryan Braun hit a tiebreaking homer in the ninth inning, and the Brewers dropped the Cardinals back in the NL wild-card race.The Cardinals are a half-game behind the Mets for the second wild card.Braun connected against Kevin Siegrist (5-3) for his 27th homer.St. Louis had tied it in the eighth when Matt Carpenter doubled and scored on Stephen Piscottys sacrifice fly off Tyler Thornburg (6-5).MARLINS 3, DODGERS 0MIAMI -- Jose Urena pitched 8 2/3 innings of four-hit ball, leading Miami to the win.Christian Yelich had two hits and drove in a run for the Marlins, who have won three of four. Justin Bour also drove in a run.Urena (4-6) retired the first 14 batters he faced. He struck out four and walked none while throwing