http://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-coach-D-Antoni-extending-rotation-with-a-12516523.php
Rockets coach D'Antoni extending rotation with a fully healthy roster
Updated 6:51 pm, Monday, January 22, 2018
Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker (4) shoots a layup past Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets forward PJ Tucker (4) shoots a layup past Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, in
... moreHouston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) shoots around the defense of Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) shoots around the defense of Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Saturday, Jan. 20,
... moreHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) takes the ball from Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) takes the ball from Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, in
... moreGolden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) grabs Houston Rockets guard James Harden's arm as he tries to go for a steal during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
lessGolden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) grabs Houston Rockets guard James Harden's arm as he tries to go for a steal during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Saturday, Jan.
... moreHouston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) shoots around the defense of Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) shoots around the defense of Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Saturday, Jan. 20,
... moreHouston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) goes for a dunk for fails under the pressure of Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) during the first quarter of the game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, at the Toyota Center in Houston. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) goes for a dunk for fails under the pressure of Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) during the first quarter of the game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, at the Toyota
... moreWith Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green back Monday from two-game suspensions, the Rockets had their entire rotation healthy and available at the same time for the first time in more than a month, since Luc Mbah a Moute's shoulder injury Dec. 13.
Gerald Green was signed two weeks later, so that with Green in the mix and Mbah a Moute, James Harden, Chris Paul and Nene all returning from injuries in the past month, Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni chose to expand his rotation beyond his usual preference to go with eight or nine players.
"It's a good problem to have, first," D'Antoni said. "We'll figure it out. Everybody's going to have less minutes. It's a good thing for a while. We just have to make sure guys stay in a rhythm and I don't screw it up."
D'Antoni said he would try to play 10 players, "but a little bit will depend on how the game goes."
The Rockets had used a rotation with three guards (James Harden, Chris Paul and Eric Gordon,) four forwards (Ryan Anderson, P.J. Tucker, P.J. Tucker and Ariza) and two centers (Clint Capela and Nene.) To also play Green, D'Antoni said he'd likely use small lineups more regularly. That would allow him to play Green and give minutes to Ariza or Mbah a Moute at power forward while Anderson or Tucker at center.
"It's nice for me," D'Antoni said. "I don't know about the players. I think we can work the minutes out OK. They just have to give and take a little bit."
