The Return: Dwight Howard to start tonight vs. New Orleans

Photo Credit: Mark J. Terrill – AP

After missing 26 straight games, Houston Rockets starting center Dwight Howard will finally make his return and will start tonight in New Orleans against the Pelicans.

Howard has been not played since Jan. 25^th and has been sideline due to a knee injury that the center had to get surgery on. In the 32 games that Howard has played in, he has averaged 16.3 points, 11 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.

Although MVP-Candidate James Harden has carried the team to success without Howard, they will need his presence to protect the paint and win the rebound battle in competitive games. Although Howard is earning the start tonight, he will be put on a minute restriction as he works his way back in shape.

Rockets head coach Kevin McHale told local media Wednesday that Howard will probably play around 15-20 minutes and start increasing the time Howard plays towards the end of the season. Houston sits at the third seed in the Western Conference where they are two games ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Howard hopes to contribute to keeping the Rockets at the third seed or higher as they now enter the home stretch of the season. The oft All-Star also returns at a needed time. Rockets starting power forward Terrence Jones is out with a collapsed lung, forward Josh Smith is playing with a bum ankle, and guard Patrick Beverley might be out with a season-ending wrist injury.

The Rockets went 17-9 without Howard during the time he was sideline with a bone marrow aspirate injection on his right knee. Houston currently ranks 15^th in rebounds per game.