Beverley, 3 others sit out with ailments
LOS ANGELES — The Rockets on Monday held out anybody with ailments as minor as “a twinge” in an Achilles to heavy legs, leaning toward caution with the regular season down to its final days.
Guards Pat Beverley and Lou Williams and centers Nene and Clint Capela sat out against the Clippers. Beverley had a “stinger” in a shoulder. Capela had soreness in an Achilles. Nene has soreness in his right hand after the fingers were bent back Friday against the Pistons.
Each issue was considered so minor that “tweak” would have been considered putting it too strongly. Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said he plans to have his full rotation on the floor Wednesday against the Timberwolves, though likely with reduced minutes, for the final regular-season tuneup before the playoffs begin this weekend.
Beverley and Capela both played with the ailments Sunday, having no additional difficulties.
Onuaku draws first NBA start
Chinanu Onuaku finished his pregame warmups, returning to the Staples Center visitors locker room for a few minutes before chapel when media told him he would get his first career start in the NBA.
Onuaku had been given a heads-up from Rockets development coach John Lucas but assumed Lucas was joking.
“I’m starting?” Onuaku exclaimed, unable to stop smiling. “I don’t know. John told me, but I didn’t believe John.
“I don’t know (how to feel). I’m surprised.”
Onuaku was likely to play extended minutes somewhere in the Los Angeles area Monday. The Rio Grande Valley Vipers faced the Los Angeles Defenders in the third game of their NBA Development League first-round playoff series in El Segundo on Monday. Onuaku, however, was needed downtown with Nene and Clint Capela out.
Onuaku went into Monday having played 30 minutes in four NBA games, getting 12 minutes Sunday in Sacramento. Between the Rockets and Vipers, he has played in a back-toback-to-back-to-back.
Williams hopes rest will help shot
The Rockets gave backup guard Lou Williams Monday off, hoping fresh legs might allow him to regain his shooting touch from the 3-point line.
Since Williams made 7 of 8 3s against the Thunder, the Rockets’ firstround playoff opponent, Williams has made just 5 of 36 3s, going 1-of-9 in Sunday’s win at Sacramento.
“I would like to shoot the ball more consistently at this point,” Williams said of getting the day off. “I’m getting there. I think some of that is due to heavy legs and a little fatigue, so a day off will be good for me to get ready.”
Williams made four of six shots from inside the arc against the Kings and said he hoped by more aggressively looking to drive, he would contribute without hitting shots from the 3-point line and could help get his range shooting on track.
“Instead of just shooting open shots, I go in and try to create,” Williams said. “It just opens up everything for you. You make a play for your teammate or you’re driving to the rim or you make a layup or get fouled. Everything opens up.”