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Rockets' Dwight Howard plays in OT win over Nuggets

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Dwight's knee was good to go. 

Howard was in the lineup Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets, his second consecutive appearance following an 11-game absence.

He played and played well. Howard had 24 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the floor, hitting 10-of-15 free throws. He added 16 rebounds and four blocks in 42 minutes, as the Rockets won 115-111 in overtime. 

Howard spoke to the media after shootaround Wednesday and said he wasn't too concerned about the stiffness and swelling that occurred after he made his return to the court Saturday:

I feel a lot better (Wednesday). They said the recovery process will be a little slow right now since this is my first couple games back. I just have to do whatever I can to keep my legs loose and try not to do too much jumping on the days we don't have games. I've got to save it for the games.

Howard wasn't surprised his knee gave him some trouble after almost a month off: 

It wasn't a concern. I expected there to be some swelling, my first time playing in a game in 11 games. After missing a month of basketball, I expected it to be like that. There’s nothing I can do about it but continue to play.

The Rockets will proceed cautiously with Howard, and with the team in action again Thursday night against New Orleans, it won't be a surprise if the big man sits out the second half of a back-to-back. 

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