Bickerstaff praises Lawson’s play
Despite his team’s 123-114 loss to Detroit on Wednesday, Rockets interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff was happy with the play of guard Ty Lawson.
Lawson had 18 points, five rebounds and three assists against the Pistons.
Lawson has had a tumultuous year — from serving suspensions for a total of five games because of past DWI incidents to dealing with an ankle injury to adjusting to a new team.
His performance Wednesday is something Bickerstaff is hoping to see more of.
“He looked like the Ty we have seen before,” Bickerstaff said. “He was making shots and making plays. He was aggressive with his shot, and that’s the most important thing. That’s the Ty we expected to see all year.”
While Lawson performed better, Bickerstaff
said the regular starting lineup — featuring Pat Beverley at point guard — won’t change when everyone is healthy. But Beverley is questionable for Friday’s game with a sprained ankle.
“If Pat can play, we will stay with what we have been doing,” Bickerstaff said. “People will earn their minutes. Both of them want to play; there are minutes for both. Whoever is playing the
best will get those minutes.”
Injury situation to impact lineup
The Rockets could be shorthanded when Milwaukee comes to town Friday night, beyond the absence of Dwight Howard (ankle).
Guard Pat Beverley had a good workout Thursday and said he hopes to play, but he is listed as questionable.
Forward Montrezl Harrell is questionable with a right shoulder contusion, and Jason Terry is questionable with soreness in his right knee. Forwards Donatas Motiejunas and Sam Dekker remain sidelined with back injuries.
“We didn’t have a full practice,” interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We got on the floor a little and did some individual stuff. We only had like 71/2 healthy players, so there’s not much you can do with that.”
Guard James Harden said the Rockets would adjust to their injury problems the way they always do.
“We’ve been through this before,” Harden said. “When there are a lot of injuries, everyone available has to be able to step up and play extra minutes.”