Ankle sprain hobbles Porter
Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. sat out most of Saturday’s practice after spraining his right ankle against the Jazz on Thursday but that was largely as a precaution before he tests the ankle Sunday in Los Angeles.
When asked if he thought Porter would be able to play against the Lakers, Rockets coach Stephen Silas said, “I think so. We’ll see.
“He didn’t do a whole bunch today in anticipation of him playing tomorrow,” Silas said. “We don’t want him to have any setbacks. We’ll see how it goes (Sunday) morning at shootaround. I’m hopeful.”
Porter, who played at USC about four miles from Staples Center, was especially eager to play Sunday having never played the Lakers on their homecourt and having a history of missing games in Staples Center.
“In college, we played at Staples against TCU, and I was hurt,” Porter said. “In Cleveland, I was hurt (for the games) in Staples (against the Lakers.) Last year, I didn’t play at Staples. I definitely want to play this time around. It should be fun.
“I’m doing good. It’s something I’m going through. It’s been bothering me this year. I just have to get used to wearing tape. I want to go out there and see where it’s at at shootaround.”
Rockets forward Danuel House Jr., who sprained his right foot in Dallas on Tuesday, will miss both games in Los Angeles, Silas said, but he is on the Rockets’ fivegame road trip. Silas said he still had no timetable for how long House might be out.
Green finally gets to free-throw line
In what will be a season of firsts, Rockets rookie guard Jalen Green experienced one that took longer than he expected. For the first time in his career, he shot free throws in Thursday’s loss to Utah, his fifth game.
Green said there was one change that led to him finally getting free throws.
I finally got the call,” Green said. “I haven’t been getting calls. I get it. I’m a rookie.
“I wanted to get to the line. I tried to be aggressive. My shot wasn’t falling the past two games.”
Green made 7 of 9 attempts from the line on Thursday but made just 3 of 16 shots. He is 2-of-17 on 3-pointers since making 8-of-10 against the Celtics.
“His ability to get to the free throw line was definitely good for us, for him and our group,” Silas said. “His shot quality was pretty good as far as the eight 3s that he shot.
“We are really focusing on the whole group, not just Jalen, as far as getting our ball movement together so those shots will be available and those open 3s will be available. He did a better job and it’s definitely something for him to watch and learn from.”
Gobert gives Rockets lesson
The Rockets had their worst offensive game of the season’s first five against Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz on Thursday. They will go from that to facing a Lakers team with Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan to protect the rim though the Lakers have allowed the most points in the paint in the NBA this season.
Still, there were lessons to be taken from the night against Gobert.
“My thing is to go with force,” Silas said. “If you go kind of three-quarter speed or in between, it’s really hard to make your read. Rudy Gobert had one block last game. But he affected 10 shots. There were times we would have an opportunity and we would see him and dribble out or dribble around.
“The best way to go at force is with force. We will learn that as we were going along. We talked about him a lot going into the game, maybe a little too much because it did seem like we were a little apprehensive when we got into the paint and he was there.”
Ex-Rocket helps with workout
The Rockets had an extra instructor at Saturday practice with Ryan Anderson at the workout, helping with some shooting drills before and after practice.
Anderson, who played two seasons at forward with the Rockets, not including his two games in 2019-20, has been splitting time between Houston and California but will spend the season in Houston.
“It’s always great to have guys who have experience, guys who have worn the Rockets uniform, guys who have had success around,” Silas said. “I love having them here.”