McLemore’s role increasing
Guard Ben McLemore experienced his first off night shooting Monday since moving to a regular spot in the Rockets’ rotation, making 3 of 11 shots. But he continued to justify his increased role and regular playing time.
McLemore has a teambest plus/minus of plus-43 in his 101 minutes this season. In the past three games since moving ahead of Thabo Sefolosha in the rotation, he is averaging 11.7 points on 45.5 percent shooting. He had made 3 of 10 shots in the season’s first three games.
“Ben, I’m starting to really like him,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He’s was like 3 of 10 (on 3-pointers Monday.) Two or three were down and in and came out. He could have easily been 6 of 10. But his defense and his smartness and knowing how to stay in the plays, I’m starting to trust him. He knows when he screws up. But he’s been good, solid.”
In the past three games with the change in the rotation, McLemore has averaged 24 minutes off the bench. He is averaging 6.3 points in 14.4 minutes per game this season, making 40.6 percent from the field and 37.9 on 3s.
“Taking advantage of it, any opportunity I get to go out there and perform at a high level and help my teammates win a basketball game,” McLemore said. “Just having the confidence (when) going out there. My teammates and coaches (are) stressing, telling me to just go out there and play hard, keep it simple and just play my game.”
Capela shaking off slow start
The slow start for Rockets center Clint Capela did not turn around in one game, but there were steps in that direction, especially on the boards.
After getting nine offensive rebounds in the first six games of the season combined, he had six against Memphis. He had averaged 4.4 offensive rebounds, ranking third in the NBA last season.
Capela’s 13 rebounds were a season high. Overall this season, he is averaging just 12.7 points and 8.5 rebounds, fewer than in either of the previous two seasons.
Asked about Capela’s rebounding, Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said, “It was better.”
Capela attributed the improvement to increased energy in general.
“It was way better,” Capela said. “That was a good job from us. It’s a long season, but we have to focus and keep moving forward. Definitely, I was in a better rhythm. That definitely helped. But I want us to roll, not just one game. I want my team to be rolling.”