Howard expects to play Friday, sit out 2nd game of back-to-back

Dwight Howard expects to suit up for the Houston Rockets on Friday night in Denver against the Nuggets. If he does play, he will sit out Saturday's game back home against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Rockets are keen on resting the 30-year-old center on one end of back-to-backs, at least early in the season. "I feel pretty good, had a pretty good shootaround so most likely I'll be playing tonight," Howard told reporters Friday. "It depends on how I feel after (the previous) game."

Howard has had two great outings in a row, registering a combined 40 points, 37 rebounds, and six blocks on 18-of-26 shooting in games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets. The Rockets also had a three-day break between games.