Sports

Howard has 22 points, 10 rebounds and Rockets beat Timberwolves 113-101 in Mexico City

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Houston Rockets' Kostas Papanikolau (16), left, drives past Minnesota Timberwolves' Corey Brewer (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Mexico City, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) (The Associated Press)

Houston Rockets' Trevor Ariza (1) attempts to make a basket as Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Martin (23) tries to block during an NBA basketball game in Mexico City, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) (The Associated Press)

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.

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.

The teams played without a problem nearly a year after a game between the San Antonio Spurs and Timberwolves was canceled because a short circuit in a generator room sent smoke and fumes inside the Mexico City Arena during warmups.