Edwards hits winning 3-pointer to cap Timberwolves rally with 113-112 win over Rockets

HOUSTON (AP) — Anthony Edwards made a step-back 3-pointer with 23 seconds left to cap a furious rally and lift the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 113-112 win over the Houston Rockets Friday night.

The Rockets were up by by 12 with about three minutes left before a 10-0 run by the Timberwolves, highlighted by a 3-point play by Edwards, cut the lead to 110-108 with 90 seconds to go.

Alperen Sengun made 1 of 2 free throws after that, but Julius Randle's dunk on the other end got Minnesota within 1. Sengun was fouled a second time and again made just 1 of 2 free throws to leave Houston up 112-110.

Edwards then sunk the 3-pointer to give Minnesota its first lead since midway through the third quarter.

The Rockets had a chance for the win, but Fred VanVleet's 3-point attempt was off.

Randle had 27 points and Edwards added 24 as the Timberwolves won their second straight after losing three in a row.

Sengun had a season-high 38 points with 12 rebounds to lead the Rockets, who had a four-game winning streak snapped.

Timberwolves: Edwards had scored just one point in the second half before his late-game heroics secured the win.

Rockets: Houston could have used Dillon Brooks for his defense down the stretch Friday night. He missed his third straight game with a sore right ankle.

The 3-pointer by Edwards.

The Timberwolves got the win despite being outscored 66-40 in the paint.

Houston hosts Miami and Minnesota hosts San Antonio Sunday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, left, drives around Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) pushes off Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, right, as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, right, attempts to drive around Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) drives to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) lays up a shot against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, right, puts up a shot in front of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, left, and center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) looks to drive around Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

HONG KONG (AP) — Hundreds gathered in Hong Kong on Saturday to watch the city’s first pyrotechnics drone show, as part of a campaign to raise support and awareness of panda conservation.

The 10-minute drone show featured 1,000 drones, some of which were equipped with fireworks, flying over Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour and forming images of the city’s giant pandas.

During certain parts of the spectacle, some drones displayed fireworks, while hundreds of others formed a three-dimensional panda that slowly rotated in the sky.

Some eager spectators arrived hours before the show to ensure that they would get a good viewing spot.

Eddie Chow, a father who brought his two kids to the drone show, said such shows could attract more tourists to Hong Kong.

“I think the rundown was great, combining fireworks and drones is a very special theme, Hong Kong should have more of these activities,” said Chow, adding that Saturday’s spectacle was his first experience in watching a drone show.

Other spectators, such as Jodi Hung, a Hong Kong resident in her 20s, also praised the drone show as “great.”

“I think people who designed the drone show had very good technique, very amazing, they combined art and techniques together,” Hung said.

Hong Kong has launched a series of activities across the city in recent weeks –- including exhibitions and a panda-themed carnival -– after Beijing gifted Hong Kong with a pair of giant pandas, named An An and Ke Ke. The arrival of the pair takes the total number of giant pandas in Hong Kong to six, all of whom reside at the city’s Ocean Park, a theme park comprising amusement park rides and animal exhibits.

People watch the panda-themed drone show at the waterfront of the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

People watch the panda-themed drone show at the waterfront of the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

People watch the panda-themed drone show at the waterfront of the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

People watch the panda-themed drone show at the waterfront of the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

People watch the panda-themed drone show at the waterfront of the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

People watch the panda-themed drone show at the waterfront of the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

Panda sculptures are displayed at the waterfront of the Victoria Harbour during the panda-themed drone show in Hong Kong, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

Panda sculptures are displayed at the waterfront of the Victoria Harbour during the panda-themed drone show in Hong Kong, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)