Tag: Tyson Chandler

Westbrook, McLemore scorch Suns as Rockets win fourth of five

James Harden had an off shooting game, but Russell Westbrook and Ben McLemore made up for it with hot nights as the Rockets beat Phoenix.

Houston star James Harden had a relative off night Saturday versus Phoenix, but fellow guards Russell Westbrook and Ben McLemore more than made up for it with hot shooting as the host Rockets (15-7) defeated the Suns (10-12) to win for the fourth time in five games.

The four wins have come by an average margin of 18 points.

McLemore had a season-high 28 points and eight made three-pointers in Thursday’s statement win at Toronto, and he nearly matched it Saturday with 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting (66.7%). That total included five more threes as Houston pulled away late to win, 115-109 (box score).

Unlike in Toronto, McLemore came off the bench Saturday in Houston, now that usual small forward starter Danuel House Jr. is again healthy. But the change in role had no impact on his performance. The Rockets fell behind 20-9 in the opening minutes, but they regained the lead shortly after McLemore entered and led for nearly all of the final three quarters.

Meanwhile, Westbrook bounced back from a 7-of-27 shooting night (25.9%) against the Raptors to score 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting (55.6%) versus Phoenix. He also had a team-high 14 rebounds and 11 assists, representing his third consecutive triple-double.

Before the last three games, Westbrook hadn’t had a triple-double in any game for the Rockets since a Nov. 18 win over Portland.

Harden led the Rockets with 34 points, though he did so on an uncharacteristically cold 8-of-27 night (29.6%) from the field.

The NBA’s leading scorer made them count, though, as Harden scored 17 consecutive points for the Rockets in the fourth quarter after Phoenix had briefly tied the game at 85 with 9:02 left. That allowed Houston to break the game open and coast to the team’s fourth win in five games.

Clint Capela had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets in 27 minutes, and no one else was in double figures. Backup center Tyson Chandler missed the game due to illness.

The Suns were led by 35 points from guard Devin Booker, who made 11 of his 19 shots in Saturday’s game at Toyota Center.

The Rockets have an off day Sunday before finishing up this two-game homestand Monday against the Sacramento Kings (8-13).

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Gary Clark earns next opportunity as illnesses hit Rockets’ rotation

Can Gary Clark crack Houston’s rotation? With two starters likely out, the second-year forward will have a chance Saturday to make his case.

Over the first 17 games of the 2019-20 NBA season, second-year forward Gary Clark played 10 minutes combined for the Houston Rockets.

Then on Wednesday, with starting center Clint Capela out sick, the 6-foot-6 Clark — who can play center in smaller lineups — stepped up in a big way with 12 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes. He played the entire second quarter as Houston expanded its lead from four points to 24, which helped spark the Rockets (12-6) to a much-needed win.

Known best for his defense, the soft-spoken 25-year-old also had a block, steal, assist, and two made three-pointers in the victory (box score).

Now, with two frontcourt starters in Capela and Danuel House Jr. both doubtful for Saturday’s home game versus Atlanta due to illnesses, Clark appears poised to earn another opportunity to build on his success.

P.J. Tucker, who is the only usual frontcourt starter expected to play against the Hawks, indicated at Friday’s practice that he sees glimpses of himself in the younger Clark. Tucker told reporters:

I feel like Gary can be like me, in some ways, with the second unit when he comes in. He has ability to space the floor, but it’s more defense. Gary can guard multiple positions. It’s just getting him to talk more. Gary isn’t really a talker, so I’m always trying to influence him to talk more.

After Wednesday’s game, Clark said that even though he hasn’t received regular playing time this year, he still feels he’s been able to learn and improve while watching from the bench. He said:

You can think a lot sitting over there a lot of games. … Just being able to think the game, learn the game, just seeing the ins and outs when you’re sitting over there.

During his rookie season, Clark played 15 times in November 2018 for the Rockets at 21 minutes per game. However, his playing time faded as the year moved along, with the veteran-laden Rockets wanting more proven options for their playoff push.

Houston head coach Mike D’Antoni said after Clark’s strong showing versus the Heat that he could win back a rotation spot in his second season, but that consistency would be the key moving forward.

Russell Westbrook, who had 27 points in Wednesday’s victory and played alongside Clark for much of the second quarter, had kind words for the University of Cincinnati product in his postgame interview.

He did a good job, he was ready. Made some big shots, made a lot of plays that aren’t seen on the stat sheet.

At Friday’s practice, D’Antoni largely echoed his postgame assessment when asked whether Clark could keep his minutes moving forward.

It depends on Gary Clark [laughs]. I would love for him to… that means he’s playing well. If he does like he did last game, then yeah. He could earn some minutes.

With Capela and House out, it’s probably a safe bet that Clark will again receive minutes against the young and rebuilding Hawks (4-14). The question is what happens when D’Antoni and the Rockets get their complete rotation back.

Then again, Houston’s primary backup center is Tyson Chandler, who is now 37 years old. Chandler started in place of Capela on Wednesday, yet still played only eight minutes due to the team’s planned usage restrictions on the 19-year NBA veteran over the regular season.

Those limitations could leave an opening for Clark to receive playing time this year, even after Capela and House return. He’ll have a key opportunity Saturday against the Hawks to make his latest case.

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Clint Capela, Danuel House Jr. doubtful for Saturday due to illness

Clint Capela and Danuel House Jr. (ill) are doubtful, with Tyson Chandler and Ben McLemore likely to start in their place for the Rockets.

The Houston Rockets could be without two starters for Saturday’s home game versus the Atlanta Hawks.

Starting center Clint Capela and small forward Danuel House Jr. are each doubtful due to illness, head coach Mike D’Antoni said at practice Friday. Capela also missed Wednesday’s win over Miami for the same reason.

The Rockets (12-6) are significant favorites over the Hawks (4-14), who entered Friday tied for the worst record in the Eastern Conference. That could present the team with an opportunity to be more conservative in their treatment of injured or sick players.

Veteran Tyson Chandler would start in Capela’s place if the 25-year-old is unable to go — just as he did Wednesday. Young prospects Isaiah Hartenstein and Gary Clark could also figure into the mix.

Clark added 12 points and eight rebounds in 28 impressive minutes off the bench Wednesday, while Hartenstein had 16 rebounds in 30 minutes on Nov. 16 when Capela missed a game in Minnesota.

In his sixth season, Capela is averaging 14.6 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in 31.9 minutes per game this year, and he’s on a historic rebounding run with at least 19 boards in his last seven games played. Those are large shoes to fill for any of his potential replacements.

Prior to Capela’s current streak, the only NBA player to have at least 19 rebounds in seven straight games was rebounding legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, who last did it in the 1994-95 season.

The only player in Rockets franchise history to have posted averages of at least 14 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks per game in a single season was Hakeem Olajuwon, who did it 30 years ago in the 1989-90 season.

Meanwhile, Ben McLemore would likely start in the place of House. McLemore scored 14 points and hit 4-of-9 (44.4%) from three-point range when House missed a game last Friday at the Los Angeles Clippers.

But at 6-foot-3, McLemore isn’t as long or as versatile defensively as the 6-foot-6 House. House also has the advantage as a shooter, with the native Houstonian connecting on 42.4% of his three-point attempts this season — as compared to 29.1% for McLemore.

Further down the bench, starting McLemore for House could also present a rotation opportunity for veteran forward Thabo Sefolosha or rookie guard Chris Clemons to help fill McLemore’s usual bench minutes.

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Rockets list Clint Capela as questionable for Miami game

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela is questionable for Wednesday’s home game against the Miami Heat with an illness.

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela is questionable for Wednesday’s home game against the Miami Heat with an illness, the team announced at Tuesday’s practice.

It would be a significant absence for the Rockets (11-6) against the Heat (11-4), who defeated Houston by 29 points earlier this month. A final decision on Capela’s availability is unlikely to be made by the team until shortly before Wednesday night’s tipoff at Toyota Center.

If Capela is unable to play, the Rockets would likely start veteran center Tyson Chandler in his place — just as they did on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16, when Capela missed a pair of games with a suspected concussion. Third-year big Isaiah Hartenstein would then be elevated to the backup role.

The Rockets did win both games, and Hartenstein was very impressive with 16 rebounds in 30 minutes at Minnesota. However, the Heat clearly represent a superior opponent relative to the Pacers and Timberwolves.

No further details regarding the nature of the 6-foot-10 center’s illness were immediately disclosed. Capela is averaging 14.6 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in 31.9 minutes per game this season, and he’s currently in the middle of a historic rebounding stretch with at least 19 rebounds in seven consecutive games.

Prior to Capela’s current run, the only NBA player to have at least 19 rebounds in seven straight games was rebounding legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, who last did it in the 1994-95 season.

The only player in Rockets franchise history to have posted averages of at least 14 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks per game in a single season was Hakeem Olajuwon, who did it 30 years ago in the 1989-90 season.

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Rockets list Capela, House as probable to return Monday

The Rockets upgraded the medical status of two starters, with Clint Capela (concussion) and Danuel House Jr. (back) now probable for Monday.

The Houston Rockets appear likely to get a pair of needed reinforcements for Monday’s home game versus Portland.

In Sunday’s injury report, the Rockets listed both Clint Capela and Danuel House Jr. as probable. House missed the last three games with a bruised back, while Capela sat out the last two with a concussion.

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The Rockets (10-3) have won seven consecutive games, but the schedule for the upcoming week appears difficult — headlined by road games on Wednesday and Friday at a pair of likely Western Conference contenders in Denver and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Thus, it certainly feels like an opportune time for Houston’s starting center and small forward to return.

In 11 games, Capela has averaged 13.4 points (65% shooting), 12.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in 30.2 minutes per game. The 6-foot-10 big man has grabbed 20 rebounds in his last three games, making the 25-year-old the first Rockets player to do so since Moses Malone in 1982.

Meanwhile, the 26-year-old House is averaging 11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds in 29.2 minutes per game, led by a blistering 45.5% mark on three-pointers. The defensive rating of 104.0 and overall net rating of 8.0 by the 6-foot-6 forward and native Houstonian are both among the best of any player in head coach Mike D’Antoni‘s regular rotation.

Ben McLemore and Tyson Chandler, who each started in the absence of House and Capela, will return to bench roles.

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DeAndre Jordan grabs career rebound No. 9,000

DeAndre Jordan reached a major rebounding milestone in the Brooklyn Nets’ matchup with the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.

Throughout the course of his NBA career, DeAndre Jordan has developed into one of the league’s premier rebounders. Since 2013-14, Jordan’s rebounds per game average has been in the double-digits. He’s even averaged 10.5 boards per game throughout his first 10 contests in a Nets uniform, despite the fact he only averaged 22 minutes per game during the stretch.

On Saturday, while playing the Chicago Bulls, Jordan reached a major milestone in the rebounds category. With his fifth rebound on the night, Jordan reached the 9,000 rebounds mark.

Jordan is one of four active players with at least 9,000 rebounds. The others are Pau Gasol (11,305), Tyson Chandler (10,436) and Dwight Howard (9,579). (All totals entering play on Saturday.)

Jordan still ranks No. 52 all-time in total rebounds. Elton Brand is No. 51 with 9,040 and Johnny Green — a forward for the New York Knicks who started his career in 1959-60 — is No. 50 with 9,083.

RELATED: WATCH: Nic Claxton starts Nets fastbreak, finishes it emphatically

James Harden scores 44 to lead Rockets to sixth straight win

Despite several rotation injuries, James Harden scored 44 to lead Houston to a sixth straight win in Friday’s home victory over Indiana.

The Houston Rockets were down two starters and three rotation players due to injuries, facing an opponent in the Indiana Pacers that entered Friday’s game at 7-4 and on a four-game winning streak.

It didn’t matter much in the end, because they had James Harden.

Led by 44 points (13-of-26 shooting, 6-of-14 on three-pointers) in 40 minutes from the NBA’s leading scorer and 2018 Most Valuable Player (MVP), the Rockets used a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter to pull away from the Pacers and win their sixth consecutive game.

The 111-102 victory improved the Rockets to 9-3 on the 2019-20 season, which ranks second in the Western Conference.

Harden — who scored 17 of his 44 points in the fourth quarter — also had eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals.

With center Clint Capela (concussion), forward Danuel House Jr. (bruised back), and guard Eric Gordon (knee surgery) all out with various injuries, the Rockets still found a way to win thanks to Harden and key contributions from replacement starters Ben McLemore and Tyson Chandler.

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McLemore made four three-pointers and scored a season-high 21 points, while Chandler had provided strong rim protection and had Houston’s best plus/minus at +24 in his 25 minutes played.

Russell Westbrook had 17 points and a key three-pointer in the fourth quarter, along with eight rebounds and six assists. However, his shooting slump continued with just five makes in 21 attempts.

With Capela unavailable as a rim protector, the Pacers were led by promising young big man Domantas Sabonis, who scored 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds (box score). Indiana led by four points with under nine minutes left before Harden led Houston’s decisive run.

Westbrook is likely to sit out during Saturday’s game at Minnesota for planned maintenance, since it’s a back-to-back and he’s still recovering from an offseason knee scope. However, Houston coach Mike D’Antoni said before Friday’s game that House might return for that game, which could help to fill Westbrook’s rotation minutes.

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Podcast: On the defensive growth, Harden versus Beverley, and more

Friday’s podcast breaks down Harden versus Beverley, Russell Westbrook’s shooting slump; the Rockets’ defensive improvements; and much more.

Friday’s Locked on Rockets podcast episode with host Jackson Gatlin and analyst Ben DuBose offers more analysis on Houston’s current five-game winning streak, punctuated by a 102-93 win over reigning NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The episode begins with a discussion of the NBA’s defensive stat tracking, and how Patrick Beverley really did get burned by James Harden (47 points) multiple times throughout the game.

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The conversation then transitions to how the team’s defensive identity continues to grow and improve, with the Rockets now ranked No. 17 in defensive rating for the 2019-20 season after previously being second-to-last in the NBA through six games.

The 93 points allowed by Houston to the Clippers (7-4) — viewed by many as a legitimate NBA title contender — were the least allowed by the Rockets (8-3) in any game so far this season.

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Other topics include the need for Russell Westbrook to take advantage of his style of play and maximize his output in “Russ-only lineups” with the second unit; rotation speculation given several injuries to key contributors like Eric Gordon (out six weeks), Danuel House Jr. (day-to-day) and Clint Capela (day-to-day); and praise for unexpected contributions from veteran center Tyson Chandler.

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The show concludes with a preview of Houston’s upcoming schedule for the remainder of November, with seven consecutive matchups looming against potential playoff teams. Tune in!

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Rockets center Clint Capela to miss at least one game with head injury

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela is out for Friday’s game versus Indiana and doubtful for Saturday in Minnesota with a head injury.

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The Houston Rockets (8-3) have won five consecutive games, but they’ll likely need some players near the end of their bench to step up this weekend against strong competition to keep the streak going.

Starting center Clint Capela is out for Friday’s home matchup versus Indiana (7-4) with a head injury and doubtful for Saturday’s road game at Minnesota (7-3), head coach Mike D’Antoni confirmed at Thursday’s practice. The 25-year-old left Wednesday’s win over the Clippers in the fourth quarter after taking a hit to his head in a collision with Los Angeles big man JaMychal Green.

Capela was evaluated postgame for a concussion,  and the Rockets say he will be re-evaluated before Saturday’s game. However, as of Thursday, Capela had not been diagnosed with a concussion.

Capela has grabbed at least 20 rebounds in each of his last three games played, making him the first Rockets player to do so since Moses Malone in 1982. His rebounding presence has been a big part of the Rockets’ remarkable defensive turnaround, with Houston going from the NBA’s second-worst team in defensive rating over the first six games (3-3) to the league’s No. 1 defense over the current streak.

The timing of the 6-foot-10 big man’s absence is not ideal for the Rockets, who have the weekend back-to-back against two teams led by elite big men. Indiana has Domantas Sabonis, who is averaging 19.8 points and 13.3 rebounds per game this season, while Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 25.8 points and 12.0 rebounds.

Tyson Chandler finished Wednesday’s game at center after Capela exited, posting an impressive nine rebounds in 16 minutes. At practice, D’Antoni said Chandler would start in Capela’s place.

At 37 years old and in his 19th season, however, Chandler is unlikely to play anywhere close to Capela’s average of 30.2 minutes per game. And with Sabonis and Towns looming, it seems doubtful that D’Antoni would play the majority of both games without a center.

Moreover, D’Antoni’s preferred smaller lineups with P.J. Tucker at center are complicated at the moment by the back injury to Danuel House Jr., who often slides to power forward when Tucker is in the middle. House is doubtful for Friday after sitting out Wednesday.

Thus, the Rockets may have no choice but to turn to young seven-footer Isaiah Hartenstein to fill at least some of Capela’s usual minutes. The third-year center has averaged 24.0 points (59.6% shooting), 16.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game this season with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Houston’s NBA G League affiliate.

Hartenstein has yet to play in the NBA this season, though he did play sparingly in 28 games in the 2018-19 season. Given the size and skill of this weekend’s opposing bigs, D’Antoni could be forced to roll the dice and experiment with Houston’s athletic 21-year-old prospect.

Veteran forward Ryan Anderson could be another short-term option, but he’s relatively undersized for a center at 6-foot-9 and 240 pounds and doesn’t provide much rim protection or defensive value.

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Rockets win fifth straight as James Harden bests Kawhi Leonard late

James Harden had 47 points and scored 17 in the game’s final six minutes, leading to a Rockets win over Kawhi Leonard’s Clippers in Houston.

James Harden took over Wednesday’s fourth quarter in Houston, scoring 17 points in the final six minutes as the Rockets overcame a four-point deficit with under six minutes left to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers, 102-93. Houston closed the game on a 22-9 run.

For the game, Harden scored 47 points on 12-of-26 shooting, led by a 7-of-13 (53.8%) showing on three-pointers. The 30-year-old guard also had seven assists, six rebounds, and three steals, with the last coming against Clippers superstar and reigning NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kawhi Leonard to seal the win in the final minute.

Clippers guard Pat Beverley, long known as one of the NBA’s toughest isolation defenders, couldn’t stay on the floor long enough to try and slow Harden. Beverley fouled out in just 27 minutes, and longtime rival Russell Westbrook got in a postgame dig at Beverley’s expense after Harden’s 47-point outburst versus a former teammate.

Leonard had 26 points and 12 rebounds, but thanks in large part to strong defense from Houston forward P.J. Tucker, it took him 24 shots to get those 26 points. That made for a much less efficient night in comparison to Harden, who also had more clutch plays late.

Wednesday’s victory was the fifth straight for the Rockets (8-3), and it drops Leonard’s Clippers (7-4) a game behind Houston in the current Western Conference standings. Harden is averaging an astonishing 41.6 points per game during the five-game winning streak, raising his 2019-20 season average to an NBA-leading 38.2 per game.

The league’s reigning scoring champion led the way, but Harden certainly had plenty of help (box score) in the statement win over another West contender. Other highlights included 17 points from Westbrook, a third consecutive 20-rebound game from center Clint Capela, and strong perimeter defense by Tucker and Austin Rivers.

The Clippers’ total of 93 points was the fewest allowed by Houston this season. Opponents have not exceeded 100 in three games of the current five-game winning streak, and the Rockets have the NBA’s top-rated defense in that stretch.

In a potentially ominous development for the defense, Capela left Wednesday’s game in the fourth quarter after his head was hit in a collision with Clippers big man JaMychal Green. Team officials said postgame that they did not know whether Capela had suffered a concussion. If he did, that could make for a challenging back-to-back on Friday at home versus Indiana and Saturday at Minnesota.

Capela’s condition and status for those games will likely be updated at Thursday afternoon’s team practice in Houston.

Tyson Chandler finished Wednesday’s game in Capela’s absence, posting an impressive nine rebounds in 16 minutes and punctuating the victory in the final minute with a reverse jam on a lob — naturally, from Harden after stealing the ball from Leonard.

At 37 years old and in his 19th NBA season, however, Chandler is not a likely candidate for an expanded role if Capela misses time moving forward. The Rockets would likely need to turn to third-year center Isaiah Hartenstein in such a scenario.

Wednesday’s game finished with playoff intensity, and the two rivals won’t have to wait long for the rematch — which comes next Friday, Nov. 22, in Los Angeles. That game could feature a new star duo of Leonard and fellow offseason addition Paul George, who is expected to make his Clippers debut this Thursday in New Orleans.

The Rockets also weren’t close to full strength Wednesday, with wing players Eric Gordon and Danuel House Jr. each out with injuries.

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