Though the Rockets played a fourth consecutive game with three rotation players – James Harden, Nene and Luc Mbah a Moute – out, they said they have grown accustomed to handling injuries enough to be used to their revised lineup.

"We've been dealing with it," Rockets guard Chris Paul said. "Obviously, Luc, Nene and James are big parts of our team. But I've been out. Guys have been out. We've been making due. We have a pretty veteran team. I think everybody knows once one guy goes down, it's by committee. Everyone has to step up and fill the space.

"We obviously know this isn't our team. This is how the season goes."

The Rockets' preferred starting lineup – Paul, Harden, Clint Capela, Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson – is 13-0 this season. The lineup they used on Wednesday, with Eric Gordon in for Harden, went 2-2 going into Wednesday's game.

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