Muscle tear to keep Nene out of playoffs
Rockets center Nene, the only big man playing regularly off the Rockets’ bench in the postseason, on Monday was ruled out for the rest of the playoffs because of a muscle tear.
Nene (6-11, 250) was injured in the first quarter of the Rockets’ 125-104 victory over San Antonio on Sunday night after playing less than two minutes — apparently on a steal and full-court drive he ended with a dunk.
An MRI exam revealed a torn left abductor — a muscle in the groin area of the thigh. He was scheduled to see specialists to determine a course of treatment.
“I hate it for Nene,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He’s been so valuable all year, such a good guy. The good news is, I don’t think it was as bad as I (thought it could be). Obviously, he’s done for the series. Just hope he gets well quick.”
Nene averaged 10.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in 19.9 minutes of playing time in the playoffs, including a dominant Game 4 performance against Oklahoma City when he scored 28 points in 25 minutes on 12-of-12 shooting and matched the NBA record for attempts without a miss in a playoff game.
Nene was particularly valuable as a physical, veteran presence to spell Clint Capela against the Spurs. In Game 4 on Sunday, Ryan Anderson filled in at center as the Rockets went small to begin the second half, with Eric Gordon starting and Anderson coming off the bench.
Beverley takes day off for family
Rockets guard Pat Beverley, who played Sunday night as he mourned the death of his grandfather, Rheese Morris, traveled to Chicago on Monday to be with his family. He is expected to rejoin the team for Game 5 at San Antonio on Tuesday.
“I told Pat, we got a lot of things to think about, worry about,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He’s not one I need to worry about. He’ll be ready. He’ll be there.”
Beverley, clearly distraught before and after Sunday’s game, scored 10 points and matched his career playoff high with six assists.
“Our prayers are with him 1,000 percent,” Rockets guard James Harden said. “He’s back with his family right now, so hopefully he can come back and be ready to go for Game 5. But we are going to give him some time to be with his family.”
Anderson’s role likely to change
Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said he was still “working on” his decision about how to replace Nene in the team’s rotation, but Ryan Anderson said he expected to come off the bench as he did in the second half after Nene’s injury Sunday.
That would make Anderson (6-10, 240) the Rockets’ backup center, with Eric Gordon moving into the starting lineup to replace Anderson.
“I think that’s the game plan,” Anderson said. “Obviously, we’re running real low on bigs. So obviously, we want to make sure that — it wouldn’t be a very good situation if me and Clint (Capela) got into foul trouble. We want to play smart. Coming off the bench is something I’ve done in my career, and I’m fine with it. Whatever I have to do to help the team and whatever’s best for this group.
“Obviously in the second half, that starting lineup did a great job with that small lineup in there with Eric. So, we’re confident with whatever lineup we have out there. But I’m ready for whatever, whether I’m going to start or come off the bench.”
The Rockets have outscored opponents by three points in the 20 postseason minutes they have played with Anderson in the lineup at center with James Harden, Eric Gordon, Lou Williams and Trevor Ariza.
“I’ve done it through my career,” Anderson said. “Obviously, I’m not a very conventional five man, but it also makes it difficult for the other team to figure out how to guard us with pick and pops or if I’m rolling to the basket or whatever it is. (With) our ability to run, we need to use those opportunities to our advantage I think.
“In New Orleans, I (came off the bench) for four years. It’s not much of a different mindset.”