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This time of year for a sure-thing playoff team includes two goals: 1) Do your best to either maintain your current seed, or possibly improve upon it if possible and 2) get healthy for the postseason.

The Rockets currently sit fourth in the West, a game behind the Clippers for third. So while that's within possibility, they may start leaning toward resting key players to ensure good playoff health soon.

Via the Houston Chronicle, Dwight Howard has been dealing with an ankle issue caused by a cyst and fluid that was recently removed. And because of it, Howard could sit a few games down the stretch.

Rockets center Dwight Howard said he struggled in the second half on Thursday, his second game back after missing three games following a procedure to remove a cyst and fluid in his left ankle.

“My ankle was bothering me tonight,” Howard said. “I came out a little bit early in the third quarter because of it. We'll see how it feels tomorrow.”

When asked if he might have to miss time, Howard said he does not want to skip any games after missing three when the ankle was drained.

“I don't want to sit out, but the most important thing is that I'm ready for the playoffs,” Howard said.

The Rockets obviously need Howard, but they do have the unique position of having an elite backup behind him. Omer Asik is more than capable of filling in for Howard if the Rockets so choose to shut down their All-Star center a few games.

Howard isn't the only one, though. Patrick Beverley tweaked his right knee against the Clippers, and isn't expected to miss any games. But he will have an MRI just to be sure, and if there's anything other than a light strain, he might sit some as well.

Because again, for the Rockets who have established themselves as a top tier Western team, they just want to have all their parts functioning at their highest level come playoff time. And if that means maybe not pushing for the three-seed, that's a choice they just might have to make.

For a player to play in the postseason he has to be added to an NBA roster by March 1st. Camby seems optimistic that a deal would get done by the deadline.

ChokeFasncists wrote:I dunno, this is what I read:

For a player to play in the postseason he has to be added to an NBA roster by March 1st. Camby seems optimistic that a deal would get done by the deadline.

http://houston.cbslocal.com/2014/02/27/ ... situation/

inquisitive wrote:They have to cut Smith or something cause they have 15 on the roster right now i believe in order to accomodate Camby....doubt Smith will be cut for that...they could cut him for a pt guard replacement.

texasholdem wrote:

inquisitive wrote:They have to cut Smith or something cause they have 15 on the roster right now i believe in order to accomodate Camby....doubt Smith will be cut for that...they could cut him for a pt guard replacement.

Smith is a free agent this summer so it doesn't matter if he's cut or not. We can always re-sign him when he gets healthy.

he had no return date in mind, but was "not worried at all" that the injury would linger for the reminder of the season.

ChokeFasncists wrote:

texasholdem wrote:

inquisitive wrote:They have to cut Smith or something cause they have 15 on the roster right now i believe in order to accomodate Camby....doubt Smith will be cut for that...they could cut him for a pt guard replacement.

Smith is a free agent this summer so it doesn't matter if he's cut or not. We can always re-sign him when he gets healthy.

Agreed, we gotta take care of the problems now if Dwight needs to shut down for a bit.

BaYBaller wrote:

ChokeFasncists wrote:

texasholdem wrote:
Smith is a free agent this summer so it doesn't matter if he's cut or not. We can always re-sign him when he gets healthy.

Agreed, we gotta take care of the problems now if Dwight needs to shut down for a bit.

Wouldn't Smith would need to clear waivers for us to resign him? That means another team could scoop him up.

TheRaptor! wrote:Any idea on when he is returning? I want to pick up Asik for tomorrow, the last game of my fantasy playoffs but I don't know if Howard might return.