Dwight Howard will be rested for the Hawks’ game against the Grizzlies on Saturday in the second of back-to-back games. Kris Humphries will start his second game of the season.
The Hawks issued an injury report prior to the game with the starting center listed as out along with Mike Dunleavy (right ankle).
The Hawks defeated the Raptors Friday night in Atlanta. Howard had 16 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes.
“Veteran,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said of the decision to start Humphries. “His physicality. He’s been playing well in practice. (Mike Muscala) when we use him usually comes off the bench and it’s a good spot for him. They will both probably play about the same.”
It will be the sixth missed game for Howard this season. He missed three games due to back tightness in mid-December. He also missed games against the Bucks in November and the Knicks in January, both the second of back-to-back games.
“If you look what has preceded us with a lot of game, five games in seven nights,” Budenholzer said. “It just made a lot of sense to try to pick one night and tonight’s the night.”
Humphries has not played the past seven games as Budenholzer has shortened his bench.
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