Questions remain on roster, rotation
As much as the Rockets might have wanted to have their rotation settled and roles defined by the final days of the preseason, they likely also would have liked to have kept scoring with the spectacular ease of Wednesday’s opening minutes.
The Rockets did not quite reach either of those goals. But after misfiring for a stretch to make the game close, the Rockets recovered to blow the game open in the fourth quarter and rout the Mavericks 106-91. And after a rocky first half, the second unit — potentially auditioning for playing time — turned things around with a strong showing in their second stint on the floor.
The Rockets did not keep up the early pace that
built an 18-point lead in 7½ minutes. They were so dominant early that Dallas coach Rick Carlisle deadpanned, “The beginning of the game was abominable; it was a Donald Trump debate performance. Really — it was bad.”
The Rockets’ starting lineup, largely set heading into the final preseason game, had no trouble getting good shots, with James Harden leading the way with 23 points, including 12 in the third quarter, and 11 assists in his 28 minutes. Clint Capela had his second consecutive strong game with 12 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes, making a good argument that he is ready to be the Rockets’ starting center. Reserves stumble early
The reserves, however, rivaled the typical presidential debate for failing to answer questions.
“I liked the way they looked in the second half,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “The first half, they really were bad. K.J. (McDaniels) played … well. We have to find some consistency there.”
The primary decisions seem to be at backup shooting guard, with Eric Gordon replacing Pat Beverley in the starting lineup, and at backup point guard, with Tyler Ennis auditioning for the job Wednesday.
Corey Brewer and McDaniels split most of the time at the backup wing spots, before McDaniels played the entire fourth quarter as the benches were cleared. McDaniels had 10 points and seven rebounds in 28 minutes.
“K.J., Corey, Sam (Dekker) — you throw a whole lot of them in there,” D’Antoni said of the rotation decisions to come. “We’re going to play nine or 10 guys. Tyler is in there. Kyle (Wiltjer) is trying to put himself in there. There’s a lot of guys you have to think about.”
Ennis had likely his last preseason chance to make his case. With Pablo Prigioni sitting out a second consecutive game with a sprained shoulder, Ennis played 17 minutes at backup point guard.
Prigioni is expected to play Friday in San Antonio, and D’Antoni likely plans to give him playing time running pick-androll with Nene, who also sat out Wednesday.
Ennis had some strong possessions running the Rockets’ offense in the second half, setting up Gordon on a cut and Montrezl Harrell on an alley-oop in the fourth quarter. He finished a drive moments later. Ennis ended the night with seven points and three assists.
“With that unit out there, I think it will be better for us if I make plays, instead of just relying on transition,” Ennis said. A better fit
Ennis is a more traditional point guard than Bobby Brown or Gary Payton II (or Isaiah Taylor, who was waived Sunday), potentially making him a better fit in an emergency. His place in the rotation Wednesday could indicate where he fits into the Rockets’ plans.
“I’ve always been somebody that has to be comfortable, knowing guys’ spots,” Ennis said. “It takes a while. Now, I’m kind of figuring out where guys like the ball, where guys can score, where guys are comfortable.
“Once I get to that point where I know everybody’s game, know what everybody is doing, know the offense, I think I’ll be a lot better.”