"The rapid improvement of Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic doesn't surprise Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale, who selected Pekovic in the second round of the 2008 NBA draft when McHale was the Wolves' general manager.

Pekovic played two more years in the Greek League before joining the Wolves last season. Foul trouble limited his production last season, but the native of Montenegro is averaging 14.1 points and 9.2 rebounds and shooting 62.5 percent in the Wolves' past seven games.

Pekovic started Saturday night and had 11 points and nine rebounds in the Wolves' 100-91 win over Houston at Target Center.

"I liked him a lot when we drafted him," McHale said of Pekovic before the game. "He's a rugged guy. It's a different game over here, but he's adjusting. Some guys it takes awhile to adjust to the NBA game."

Pekovic made his fourth start Saturday night in place of Darko Milicic, who has a left quadriceps bruise. Wolves coach Rick Adelman said Milicic's leg "tightened up" after Friday's game at New Jersey, and he was held out Saturday as a precaution. "