Drew, Josh good to go

For Josh Howard, just about every game is a test of some sort and tonight he'll try his left ankle on the second half of back-to-back games for the first time. Coach Rick Carlisle said Howard would play, as will Drew Gooden, who came out of his first game back from a strained rib-cage muscle without incident. "I'm feeling much better,'' Gooden said. After Tuesday's game, he said he could feel the soreness, but figured he had to start getting back on the court at some point. He's been wearing some padding under his uniform to protect the area. --Eddie Sefko