ATLANTA -- Dwight Howard is expected to return to the Atlanta lineup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, but the Hawks showed at Oklahoma City that they can win without their new center.Forward Paul Millsap took Howards position in the middle as the Hawks went small on Monday, and he provided 30 points and 11 rebounds in the 110-108 victory over the Thunder.I just tried to frustrate the guys as much as possible, said the 6-foot-8 Millsap, who played center in high school and college. I had some help down there rebounding. It wasnt all me. I had a lot of help.The victory was the second in three games for the up-and-down Hawks (14-14) and they can get back over .500 with a home victory against the Timberwolves.Howard said after missing the Thunder game because of back tightness that he expected to play against Minnesota (8-19).Its nowhere near anything long term, he said. In the Toronto game (Friday), its been bothering me since then. It started flaring up after the last game (Saturday). Instead of allowing it to keep going and playing through it, rest it and I should be ready to go Wednesday.In addition to Millsap, the Hawks got a big game from point guard Dennis Schroder against the Thunder.Schroder, adjusting to the starting role after Jeff Teague was traded in the offseason, had 31 points and eight assists at Oklahoma City. It was his second 31-point outing in the past 10 games and he also had a 33-point effort.Schroder struggled with turnovers and decision-making during the Hawks seven-game losing streak, but has responded after some tough love from coach Mike Budenholzer.I just tried to do everything I can to win games, Schroder said. He got on me. He said do this, do that, do this. I just try to compete out there.The victory at Oklahoma City snapped a six-game losing streak by the Hawks against Western Conference team and they face another in the Timberwolves.Minnesota won both games against the Hawks last season, including a 117-107 victory at Atlanta in which Andrew Wiggins scored 33 points.Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points, Wiggins scored 26 and Zach LaVine contributed 23 points as the Timberwolves defeated Phoenix 115-108 in Minnesota on Monday.The Timberwolves are the only team in the NBA with three players averaging at least 20 points -- Towns (22.3), Wiggins (22.0) and LaVine (20.8). That hasnt translated to anything close to a winning record, though, in Tom Thibodeaus first year as coach.Its all about improvement, Thibodeau said Each and every day, do the right things. The big thing for me is, Im disappointed in losing, but Im not disappointed in our team. I see the way theyre working. I see the improvement. Were trying to build habits.Wiggins and LaVine are just in their third year in the NBA and Towns his second. It takes time to learn to win.Its not like were getting blown out or getting killed by other teams, Wiggins said. Were playing good games. Were just not finishing. New Balance Outlet Scontate .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. New Balance Italia Negozi .ca! Kerry, Two nights after the Scott-Eriksson incident in Buffalo, the Bruins returned home to play San Jose. In that game, Zdeno Chara put a check on Tommy Wingels that clearly targeted his head. http://www.newbalanceoutlet.it/ . The 18th player to shoot 60 on the tour, Jamieson settled for par on the final hole when his 15-foot birdie chip grazed the edge of the hole and stayed out. After opening with rounds of 66 and 73 to make the cut by a stroke, he had 11 birdies in the bogey-free round. New Balance Saldi Online . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. New Balance Scontate . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. BOSTON -- Hanley Ramirez couldnt hold back a smile when asked if hes hot yet.Ramirez homered twice and drove in four runs to rally the Boston Red Sox over New York 5-4 on Sunday night, completing a four-game sweep that severely diminished the Yankees chances of winning the AL East.I think we all are, our whole team, Ramirez said. Weve been able to create some rallies when we needed to and continued to fight.Jackie Bradley Jr. had a tying RBI single for the East-leading Red Sox, who overcame a rough start by Drew Pomeranz to post their ninth win in 12 games. Boston remained three games ahead of second-place Baltimore, which beat Tampa Bay 2-1 on Sunday.The Red Sox open a 10-game trip at Baltimore with the first of four games on Monday night.Gary Sanchez belted his 16th homer since Aug. 3 for the Yankees, who dropped eight back in the division and remained four behind Toronto for the second wild-card spot.The Yankees were without second baseman Starlin Castro and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who were both injured Saturday. Castro strained his right hamstring running out a double and Ellsbury bruised his right knee sliding into a bullpen wall trying to make a catch.The Red Sox overcame deficits three times in the series, including the opener, when they scored five in the ninth and Ramirez hit a game-ending three-run homer.This teams amazing, Pomeranz said. It seems like were never out of reach. Its fun to watch.This time, Ramirez hit a fly ball that soared over the Green Monster off Tyler Clippard (1-1) for a 5-4 lead in the seventh. It was his 12th homer in 21 games.We couldve won all four of these games here, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. We just werent able to shut them down. Theyre a very good offense and we understand that.Robby Scott (1-0) retired the only two batters he faced for his first major league victory. Koji Uehara got the final three outs for his seventh save.I couldnt be more excited to be a part of it, said Scott, who played six seasons in Bostons farm system before he was called up to the majors.ddddddddddddNew York scored single runs in the first and third before chasing Pomeranz with two in the fourth.But the Red Sox sliced it to 4-3 when Ramirez hit a line drive off the base of a light stanchion above the Monster after CC Sabathia threw widely to first on what would have been an easy inning-ending double play.Ramirez said his teammates were saying make him pay before he walked to the plate.Sabathia said he just tried to be too careful with the throw.Its tough. This time of year its just one play that always makes the difference right now, Sabathia said. It just so happened to bite me.Sabathia gave up four runs and eight hits in five-plus innings.Didi Gregorius drove in the Yankees first run with an RBI double before Sanchez hit a shot that caromed off a billboard above the left-field seats.TRAINERS ROOMYankees: 3B Chase Headley was also out of the lineup after his back stiffened up Saturday.Red Sox: Red Sox slugger David Ortiz struck out as a pinch hitter, getting most of the night off after running the bases a lot the first three games.MOOKIE MAGICRF Mookie Betts made two diving catches in right, the second against Brett Gardner leading off the ninth that brought chants of MVP! MVP!TRENDING DOWNPomeranz had his second straight rough start, giving up four runs in 3 2/3 innings. He lasted just two innings in his previous one, allowing five runs in a loss to the Orioles on Tuesday.UP NEXTYankees: New York is off Monday. RHP Michael Pineda (6-11, 4.94 ERA) is set to start against Tampa Bay LHP Drew Smyly (7-11, 4.98) in the opener of a three-game series on the road Tuesday.Red Sox: RHP Rick Porcello (20-4, 3.12) faces Baltimore RHP Dylan Bundy (9-5, 3.88) on Monday. ' ' '