The much-anticipated matchup between the Warriors and the Rockets took a bit of a blow an hour before tipoff, when Houston center Dwight Howard was scratched with flu-like symptoms Saturday.
Howard is the third Rockets starter who will not play, joining power forward Terrence Jones (leg contusion) and point guard Patrick Beverly (strained hamstring). Tarik Black will replace Howard in Houston's starting lineup.
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The Warriors are playing with power forward David Lee, who on Wednesday aggravated a hamstring injury. He will be reevaluated the week of Nov. 16.
