McHale suggests Howard may go back-to-back
Rockets coach Kevin McHale reserves the right to keep the situation flexible but Thursday he said center Dwight Howard will play in both games of the team’s upcoming back-to-back.
The Rockets face the Kings in Sacramento on Friday and the Clippers in Los Angeles on Saturday.
“We are going to see about the next two nights,” McHale said. “(Dwight) went through some stuff today. He was a little sore because he played 30 minutes last night. I think he feels good overall, though. No swelling anymore, no ‘I’m getting pain in a certain spot,’ so he will play one of the two games. I’m sure we will play him both.”
McHale has been careful about Howard’s minutes after the center missed half of the regular season last year with knee trouble. This past Sunday, he did not play in the first night of a back-to-back against Miami but played against Oklahoma City the following day.
Howard scored 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in 31 minutes against Orlando on Wednesday night. He sat out to rest for part of the team’s practice Thursday.
McHale said he isn’t focused on playing Howard in certain matchups.
“I think down the line that might matter more, but right now it’s about how he feels,” McHale said. “I think he felt good today.”
Beverley out with concussion
Guard Pat Beverley has a concussion and will not play Friday night’s game against the Kings.
Beverley suffered the concussion in Wednesday’s 119-114 win over the Magic.
There was no word on if Beverley will be available for Saturday’s game against the Clippers.
Forward Terrence Jones, who has struggled with a lacerated eyelid since last Friday, also will be out Friday night. Coach Kevin McHale said Jones’ eye did look better on Thursday at practice.
“Today was the best he has looked,” McHale said. “He was able to open his eye. It was actually swollen shut, and today I saw him open his eye, so that’s good.”
Forward Donatas Motiejunas is still recovering from back surgery and hasn’t gone through practice with the team yet.