Probable Starters:
The Amazing Dwight Howard*
The Amazing Terrence Jones*
The Amazing Trevor Ariza
The Amazing James Harden
The Amazing Wolverine*
v
The Lackluster Andrew Bogut
The Lackluster David Lee
The Lackluster Harrison Barnes
The Lackluster Klay Thompson
The Lackluster Steph Curry
**Rockets IR**
Howard DTD
Jones DTD
Beverley DTD
*David Lee is sitting for this game as well.
Preview: Trevor & Isaiah
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2 ... 27967101=0
The consistency of Trevor Ariza has continued to impress his teammates as the Rockets get further into the season.
Ariza has impressed them, but hasn’t surprised them.
“I know Trevor,” guard James Harden said. “I knew how good he could be for us. He is elite defensively. That veteran leadership and championship experience. All those things we didn’t have last year. He is also vocal. I don’t have to do all the talking. (Center Dwight Howard) doesn’t have to do all the talking. Trevor is the one doing a lot of talking.”
Howard said that his defensive mindset plays into what the Rockets were hoping to do this season- tighten up defensively and rebound better. Ariza has also brought scoring to the mix. He was averaging 17.6 points and 5.4 rebounds headed into Thursday night’s game against the Spurs.
“He is a great leader and a great basketball player,” Howard said. “We are glad to have him here.”
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2 ... 27967101=0
After struggling to get on the court through most of the preseason, second-year Rockets guard Isaiah Canaan has had no trouble finding playing time in the regular season. He got his third start with Pat Beverley out, having moved from the backup to the backup to the fill-in starter.
“He started camp really slow,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. “The first couple weeks he struggled a little bit, to be truthful. The last couple weeks, he picked it up, had a good end in the last couple exhibition games and then he’s been solid. I thought the last game he gave us solid minutes. He’s going to have to play more with Pat out.
“His defense is pretty solid now. He stays in front of guys. There’s a lot of room to improve in that area. And then, knowing when to move the ball, he’s understanding a little more what his role is inside the offense to facilitate movement. He’s a very good shooter. He can knock down open shots. He’s not afraid to shoot it.
“I think he’s getting more comfortable. Hopefully, over the next weeks into a couple months, they’ll all get more comfortable and things start clicking a little more.”
