MEXICO CITY (AP) – Dwight Howard had 22 points and 10 rebounds, James Harden added 23 points and 10 assists, and the Houston Rockets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-101 on Wednesday night in the NBA’s first regular-season game played south of the border since 1997.
Howard, who missed the Rockets only loss of the season, Saturday against the Golden State Warriors, came back strong. He was 9 of 16 from the field and blocked four shots in 33 minutes.
Trevor Ariza added 19 points and Kostas Papanikolau scored a career-high 14 for the Rockets (7-1), who tied Memphis for the best record in the Western Conference.
With Ricky Rubio sidelined indefinitely after spraining his left ankle during Friday*s loss to the Orlando Magic, the Wolves lost their third game in a row.
Corey Brewer scored 18 points and rookie Andrew Wiggins added 15 for Minnesota.