wolves gameday

9 p.m. vs. Houston • Mexico City Arena • ESPN, 830-AM

Preview: The Rockets' perfect 6-0 start to the season ended with Saturday's 98-87 home loss to Golden State. Until then, they had won each of their first six games by double digits, including a 108-91 rout at Miami over a Heat team that beat the Wolves 112-103 there on Saturday. … The Rockets won last year's season series 3-1, winning the first three games before losing 112-110 at Target Center in the season's final week. … Connections: Wolves veterans Kevin Martin and Chase Budinger both played in Houston. Martin was traded to Oklahoma City in the deal that brought star James Harden to the Rockets, then signed as a free agent with the Wolves in July 2013. Budinger was traded to the Wolves in June 2012 for the 18th overall pick Houston used to select F Terrence Jones.

Players to watch: Harden is third in the NBA in scoring (25.4 points), 10th in assists (7.3, first among non-point guards) and third among guards in rebounding (6.7). So far, he has had games of 25 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds and two blocks; 35 points, nine rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block; and 26 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals. … Rockets center Dwight Howard's 32-point, 16-rebound, two-block performance against San Antonio last week was his third to reach those levels in 77 games with the Rockets. Only three other Rockets have done that at least three times in team history, and it's some pretty good company: Ralph Sampson (six times), Yao Ming (10) and Hakeem Olajuwon (68).

Injuries: Wolves G Ricky Rubio (sprained ankle) is out. F Anthony Bennett has missed the past two games because of a swollen knee, but he practiced Tuesday and is questionable to play. G Kevin Martin awoke Tuesday with a stiff back but worked for most of Tuesday's practice and is expected to play. Rockets G Patrick Beverley (strained hamstring) and F Jones (leg contusion) are listed as out.

JERRY ZGODA