Lineup roulette not any fun
The Rockets as planned held out guard Victor Oladipo from Tuesday’s game in New Orleans, their second game in as many nights, just as guards John Wall and Eric Gordon sat out the first game in the back-to-back.
That left them with their third consecutive game of changing lineups, with another alteration expected Thursday. But in addition to missing the contributions of players held out for injury management in the compressed schedule, Rockets coach Stephen Silas said constantly adjusted lineups have robbed the team of the opportunity to develop cohesiveness and much-needed chemistry.
“That has a lot to do with it,” Silas said. “We have guys who are kind of trying to find their role within the group. Their role can change from game to game, whether it is being the primary ballhandler or not or being a defensive energy guy or someone we’re going to need some scoring from.
“As far as continuity of the group and really getting a feel for where your role is and how you can be effective in the scope of the group, it does affect it quite a bit.”
The Rockets’ starting lineup with Oladipo sitting out and center Christian Wood sidelined with a sprained right ankle — Jae’Sean Tate, P.J. Tucker, DeMarcus Cousins, Gordon and Wall — had started just two games together before Tuesday. Monday’s lineup, with Danuel House Jr. starting in the backcourt with Oladipo, had never before started together.
By contrast, the Pelicans’ lineup Tuesday was starting for the 19th time this season, with four other lineups starting together just one game each. The Rockets have used 14 different starting lineups — none for more than four games.
The absences in the backcourt have moved Gordon from his sixth-man role to starting in eight of the 19 games he has played. Guards Ben McLemore and Mason Jones have been among the Rockets’ leading scorers in some games and not played at all in others.
While Tuesday’s game was the Rockets’ fifth in seven nights, leading to the decision to hold the guards out of one game each in the back-to-back, the team does not have its next back-to-back until Feb. 19 and 20.
“We’re basically just trying to win the game in any form or fashion that we can because of the circumstance,” Silas said. “But ideally, you would want guys having the same role, having the same minutes within the same rotation as the previous game or previous few games. But we were really haven’t had that all season.
“We’re just trying to win the games as they come and hopefully at some point we’ll have the same group, the same starters, the same guys off the bench in the same roles for a good stretch.”
Search continues for scoring help
With the Rockets searching for offense to make up for the absence of center Christian Wood, they could seek increased contributions from players filling adjusted roles.
The playing time for center DeMarcus Cousins and forward Danuel House Jr. has increased, with both bringing an ability to facilitate offense. Jae’Sean Tate has been a starter since well before Wood was hurt but could become increasingly involved offensively.
“Danuel definitely helps when it comes to that,” Rockets coach Stephen Silas said. “(He has the) ability to get out in transition or ‘Eurostep’ or attack the rim or the paint, and he can make plays that way. It’s important for us to do that because without Christian, we have to figure out ways to manufacture some easy baskets. Danuel is one of those guys.
“‘Cuz’ and John ( Wall) together are a good pair. They read each other well, especially as Cuz is rolling or popping in pick-and-roll. Another guy that is important in that vein, as far as someone that can be versatile with the basketball, is Jae’Sean. Jae’Sean can bring the ball up the floor if necessary, as we’ve seen. But he can also drive the ball with purpose and make plays.”
In the three games before playing the Pelicans on Tuesday, which includes the game in Memphis in which Wood was hurt and limited to 20 minutes, the Rockets have ranked 26th in the NBA offensively. They were brought down by scoring seven fourth-quarter points Monday when Wood, Eric Gordon and Wall were all out.
Van Gundy high on rookie Tate
Though Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate began his season as an unheralded rookie, signed as an undrafted free agent after playing last season in Australia, his all-around play has been noticed.
Tate’s 8.7 points per game and 4.9 rebounds are the most in the NBA for any undrafted rookie. He ranks 10th among rookies in scoring and fifth in rebounding. But Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy praised more than Tate’s numbers.
“He’s a rookie, but he’s 25 years old,” Van Gundy said. “He’s not a 19- or 20-year-old kid, or even a 22-year-old kid coming out of college. His defense has been outstanding. He’s a great cutter. He plays the game with consistently high energy and toughness. He’s a guy you have to contend with every night. I have great respect for what he does on the floor.”