Rockets-Timberwolves Preview

By TAYLOR BECHTOLD

(AP) -- The Houston Rockets should have Dwight Howard back in the middle, while the Minnesota Timberwolves will have to adjust after a rocky start to an indefinite period without Ricky Rubio.

The Rockets look to bounce back from their first defeat and remain perfect away from home, though they'll be at a neutral site when they take on the young Timberwolves in Mexico City on Wednesday night.

Shortly before tip-off for Saturday's home game against Golden State, Houston found out Howard would not be able to play due to flu-like symptoms. Undrafted rookie Tarik Black took his place and had two points and five rebounds in his first start in a 98-87 loss.

Without Howard, the Rockets set season lows in scoring and field-goal percentage at 34.9. They also attempted an NBA season-high 42 3-pointers, making 10, and were outscored 56-32 in the paint.

Houston (6-1) has dropped six of the last nine in which Howard hasn't played, but the club should be feeling confident about getting back on track with the eight-time All-Star set to return.

"Dwight's back and he went through the entire practice (Monday)," coach Kevin McHale said.

This game is one of two regular-season contests that are a part of an expanded NBA Global Games schedule, with Milwaukee and New York meeting in London on Jan. 15.

Minnesota (2-4) had a game against San Antonio postponed last December because of smoky conditions inside Mexico City Arena.

NBA Mexico director Raul Zarraga says "stricter measures" have been taken to "prevent this from happening again."

"Honestly, I'd rather play the game in Houston," McHale said. "But the schedule maker throws the schedule out and you go."

McHale still isn't expected to have starters Patrick Beverley (hamstring) and Terrence Jones (leg) this week. Isaiah Canaan is likely to get another chance in the backcourt after finishing with a career-high 21 points Saturday.

James Harden, third in the league with 25.4 points per game, has averaged 29.3 while making 18 of 31 from 3-point range in his last four meetings with the Timberwolves.

Houston has yet to allow an opponent to reach 100 points and ranks among the league leaders in several defensive categories. The Rockets, 4-0 away from home, are forcing 16.9 turnovers per game after the Warriors committed 26.

That doesn't seem to be a good sign for the Timberwolves, who had 16 giveaways while finishing with a season-low 13 assists in Saturday's 102-92 loss at Miami.

Minnesota played for the first time without Rubio after the point guard was ruled out indefinitely due to a sprained ankle. Zach LaVine replaced him in the lineup, finishing with five points and four assists.

With LaVine and No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins, the Timberwolves are the first team to start two teenagers since Atlanta had Josh Smith and Marvin Williams starting in 2005-06.

"He didn't shy away from the stage," coach Flip Saunders said of LaVine, the 13th selection in the June draft.

Former Rockets guard Kevin Martin is averaging a team-high 19.6 points for Minnesota, but he finished with a season-low eight and shot 2 of 9 on Saturday.

Corey Brewer, averaging 6.5 points this season, had a career-high 51 in Minnesota's 112-110 win April 11 that snapped a four-game losing streak in this series.