The Houston Rockets have met with Dwight Howard to begin the NBAs free agency period. With Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler joining them, the Rockets pitched Howard on leaving Los Angeles and joining All-Star James Harden in Houston. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey wrote on Twitter early Monday that it great meeting with Howard and that having Olajuwon and Drexler there "made it obvious how (Howard and Harden) could be the next (great) big/wing combo." Howard, who played last season with the Lakers after playing his first eight in Orlando, is also being pursued by Dallas and Atlanta, and the Lakers have said repeatedly they want to keep him. Free agency opened at midnight EDT. Contracts cant be signed until July 10. . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead. . LOUIS -- Alexander Steen scored a power-play goal with 59. . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). . LOUIS -- St. FRISCO, Texas -- The Cowboys have activated DeMarcus Lawrence for Sundays game against Cincinnati, clearing the defensive end for his season debut after a four-game suspension for violating the NFLs substance-abuse policy.Lawrence was the sacks leader for Dallas with eight last year. The third-year player was one of three defensive starters suspended to start the season for substance-abuse violations. Linebacker Rolando McClain is serving a 10-game suspension, and defensive end Randy Gregory is out 14 games for twwo violations.ddddddddddddThe Cowboys (3-1) have six sacks, and Tyrone Crawford leads the team with two after moving from defensive tackle to end three games into the season.Lawrence, who had offseason back surgery, is expected to play. He wasnt listed on the practice report because he was still on the suspended list.---Online:AP NFL website:
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