Paul’s time to be monitored

WASHINGTON — Guard Chris Paul returned to the floor Friday after missing three games with a strained left groin muscle, going into the game with a restriction that would limit him to roughly 25 minutes.

Paul left the game Dec. 20 in the first minute of the fourth quarter against the Lakers.

The Rockets are 15-2 in games Paul has played after Friday’s loss in which he had eight points and six assists in a little over 25 minutes. The Rockets were determined to be cautious with Paul’s return but targeted Friday’s game.

“There’s always risk in everything, but when (the training staff is) comfortable with the situation, then Chris will play and (they are) comfortable,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “That’s why he didn’t play (Thursday.)”

NBA points out missed violations

The NBA agreed with the officials’ calls on the consecutive offensive fouls on James Harden in the final seconds of the Rockets’ loss in Boston on Thursday, but it found seven infractions that went uncalled in the final minute, all benefiting the home team.

The NBA listed a looseball foul on the Celtics’ Kyrie Irving that would have sent Trevor Ariza to the line with 21.1 seconds remaining.

Moments later, Rockets forward P.J. Tucker was fouled and made one of two free throws for a three-point Rockets margin.

The league also cited traveling violations on Jayson Tatum, Terry Rozier, Irving, Marcus Smart and Al Horford, the last two on the final baskets of the game as the Celtics scored with 7.3 and 3.9 seconds remaining in he game.

The league also cited a lane violation on Horford on Tucker’s missed free throw.

Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said he never looks at the reports on the last two minutes, including the day after a loss Thursday he said was painful.

“You know, I didn’t even look at it,” D’Antoni said. “I don’t care. It’s over. They’re doing the best they can do. They’re going to miss.

“It’s part of the game. It’s always been part of the game. It’s a human factor.

“We’re not going to get all the calls right. They’re trying. As long as they’re trying, what else can you do?”

Harden had complained after the game about only two officials working the game. Official Mark Lindsay had to sit out the game because of a sore back.

Lindsay was injured during pregame warmups.

The NBA does not provide a backup official in regular-season games as it does in postseason competition, but might have called an official to fill in if one was in town and available.

Uniform change a cliffhanger

Preparations for Friday’s game were more uneventful for at least one member of their training party than before the Rockets played Thursday.

While the Rockets completed their warmups Thursday, equipment manager Tony Nila was at Logan Airport waiting for the arrival of a uniform for newly signed guard/ forward Gerald Green.

NBA teams carry backup uniforms for such occasions, but because of a change in material with the new Nike gear, uniforms were returned this month. Nike had prepared blank uniforms, but Nila had to have a red-andwhite uniform shipped to the company that provides the names and numbers and have it flown in from Portland.

“I got there about 10 minutes before the game started,” Nila said.