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LOS ANGELES -- It looks as if the Houston Rockets were placed on Santa’s nice list, as they received a gift they definitely needed.
Before Thursday’s Christmas night tipoff against the Lakers (19-9), Rockets head coach Ime Udoka announced that forward Dorian Finney-Smith will make his debut. Finney-Smith has been sidelined as he recovered from ankle surgery he had this past offseason.
“Yes he will play, and he will be at 15 minutes (of playing time),” Udoka said during his pregame press conference.
Smith, who signed with Houston in July, will add much-needed defense and shooting (41.1% on 3-pointers last season) to his new team. The Rockets (19-9) entered Thursday with four losses in their last five games, with late-game lapses a frequent theme.
“More versatility,” Udoka said of Finney-Smith’s presence. “He is a seasoned veteran, high IQ, and communicator. Something we have lacked at times is our communication. I think his awareness of every situation is really high. He has been around and done all those roles.”
“Whether it is off the bench or starting, so, he gives us a little more depth at the wing and can guard up or guard down, and like I said, communicating and great IQ.”
Udoka also announced that forward Tari Eason will start against the Lakers in place of guard Josh Okogie, freeing up minutes for Finney-Smith with the second unit.
More: By the numbers: Defensive regression causing Rockets’ December swoon
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets at Lakers: Dorian Finney-Smith returns, Tari Eason starts
Continue reading...
Before Thursday’s Christmas night tipoff against the Lakers (19-9), Rockets head coach Ime Udoka announced that forward Dorian Finney-Smith will make his debut. Finney-Smith has been sidelined as he recovered from ankle surgery he had this past offseason.
“Yes he will play, and he will be at 15 minutes (of playing time),” Udoka said during his pregame press conference.
Smith, who signed with Houston in July, will add much-needed defense and shooting (41.1% on 3-pointers last season) to his new team. The Rockets (19-9) entered Thursday with four losses in their last five games, with late-game lapses a frequent theme.
“More versatility,” Udoka said of Finney-Smith’s presence. “He is a seasoned veteran, high IQ, and communicator. Something we have lacked at times is our communication. I think his awareness of every situation is really high. He has been around and done all those roles.”
“Whether it is off the bench or starting, so, he gives us a little more depth at the wing and can guard up or guard down, and like I said, communicating and great IQ.”
Udoka also announced that forward Tari Eason will start against the Lakers in place of guard Josh Okogie, freeing up minutes for Finney-Smith with the second unit.
More: By the numbers: Defensive regression causing Rockets’ December swoon
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets at Lakers: Dorian Finney-Smith returns, Tari Eason starts
Continue reading...
