Sims will play against Rockets

Henry Sims has been cleared to play in Monday night's game against the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center.

The 76ers center has an upper respiratory infection and did not participate in Monday's shootaround. But Sixers coach Brett Brown said during pregame that Sims will compete in the contest. It's unknown if he'll be in the starting lineup, though.

Meanwhile, Houston center Dwight Howard (sore right knee) and point guard Patrick Beverley (strained left hamstring) are game-time decisions.

Nerlens Noel will probably slide from power forward to center if Sims is unable to play. At 6-foot-11, 217 pounds, the rookie would give up 48 pound Howard if the Rocket plays.

The eight-time all-star i is arguably the league's best center. He  is averaging 16.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks for the Rockets (3-0).  Howard recorded a double-doubles in his last two games.

"I will definitely have to step it up," Noel said of the possible matchup. "You know dominate the boards and make sure I'm talking to [power forward] Brandon [Davies] and the guys and make sure we are communicating on defense."

Noel is averaging 7.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.33 blocks for the Sixers (0-3). His best performance came in Friday's 93-81 setback to the Milwaukee Bucks.  The 20-year-old finished with 14 points on 7-for-11 shooting, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots.

Follow Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers