Howard misses Rockets' game with back tightness

HOUSTON (AP) Center Dwight Howard is sitting out the Rockets' game against the Utah Jazz with lower back tightness, the team announced shortly before tipoff.

Howard was a game-time decision after leaving practice early Thursday morning to have his back stretched.

Howard, who played a season-high 41 minutes on Tuesday night in Utah, missed half of the 2014-15 season with back-related ailments.