Too early to tell

» Mike DA’ ntoni says the Rockets’ playoff rotation not yet set.

With his entire rotation available, Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni did not consider Friday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, a potential first-round opponent, as a dress rehearsal. He said the rotation could change as the season winds down but that he is unlikely to go 11 deep in the postseason.

“Not really,” D’Antoni said when asked if he had settled on a playoff rotation. “It could change. We still have some growing to do and getting better in certain areas. I can’t play all 11 guys. A guy might not be in the rotation (Friday) doesn’t mean he won’t be in the rotation going forward.

“I don’t want to experiment too much. You got to win. You want to check certain boxes off. We’re just trying to be as good as we can.”

Similarly, D’Antoni did not look at a matchup with the Spurs as a playoff preview or the start of preparations. Though the teams went into Friday’s game lined up as firstround opponents if the seedings do not change.

“They’re playing well; we need to play well,” D’Antoni said. “We’re trying to get into third (seed), and I’m sure they’re trying to get up as high as they can. When it’s over, it’s over, and we’ll move on to the next one. Still too many games out.

“We’ll do prep after you find your opponent. We’ll study the games. Now, there’ll be some telltale signs. You know more or less how they like to play us. If James (Harden )or Chris (Paul) feel something is working in a perfect matchup, but nothing that will stay without the prep in the playoffs. Then, you’ll iron it out.

Still, players at this part of the year are aware of potential matchups, even if they cannot be the focus of attention.

“You get this close and you try to see places you may play where you may end up,” forward P.J. Tucker said. “But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter.

“If you take care of business and win games, we’ll be in a position where we’ll be happy to get ready for the playoffs.”