Rockets have limited flexibility with shorthanded rotation

PHOENIX - Even with seven players out, Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni believed he could keep the players left in his short rotation from playing too many minutes. But with just seven players remaining from the eight that played on Wednesday, he has no flexibility, with the substitutions determined more on the predetermined rotation than anything that happens in the game.

"We can keep the minutes off," D'Antoni said. "Now, I'll get concerned if we get in foul trouble or somebody is laboring. Last game we did play eight guys. Tarik (Black) was the eighth. He played 14 minutes. Clint (Capela) played 22, so he can eat those minutes up. Everybody else is right where we should average them.

"It takes all (the flexibility) away. The good thing though, I don't have to make a decision. That's good for everybody. Guys are real happy with that. I can fudge here and there."

The Rockets were without centers Nene (bruised knee), Black (right eye abrasion), Zhou Qi (elbow) and Chinanu Onuaku (sinus surgery), forwards Luc Mbah a Moute (dislocated shoulder) and Troy Williams (sprained knee) and guard James Harden (strained hamstring).

With so many centers out, the Rockets had P.J. Tucker and Ryan Anderson taking on the backup center minutes.

The Suns were without Josh Jackson, Isaiah Canaan and Marquese Chriss.