Rockets to evaluate Dwight Howard, may soon be cleared for back-to-backs

As the Houston Rockets continue to struggle through November, the team hopes their prized center will soon be ready to play every night.

Defensive anchor Dwight Howard is to be evaluated this week in order to determine his ability to play in back-to-back games, reports the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen.

The 29-year-old has yet to play on consecutive nights this season, missing four contests due to the team-imposed policy.

Howard is averaging the fewest points (13.8) since his rookie season despite playing more minutes (31.9) than in his injury-marred 2014-15 campaign.

Nevertheless, the Rockets are bringing the eight-time All-Star along slowly as the big man missed 41 games last year due to knee problems.

The 5-9 Rockets' offense has missed Howard's interior production - their 41.5 field-goal percentage ranks 29th in the NBA - while their defense has been hanging by thread, allowing opponents to cash in on 51.1 percent of shots from the field.

Howard's 13.6 rebounds and two blocks per game would go a long way to help the Rockets recover from a disappointing start, as his squad's flaws are evident since the firing of head coach Kevin McHale.

The Rockets' next back-to-back comes at the end of the month with a Nov. 29 matchup against the New York Knicks and a Nov. 30 clash with the Detroit Pistons.