Grizzlies-Rockets Preview

A coaching change hasn't altered the Houston Rockets' fortunes yet, but they're showing some improvement defensively. That could continue with Patrick Beverley back.

The guard is slated to return from his latest injury as the Rockets try to avoid their second loss in less than a week to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

After reaching the Western Conference finals last season, Houston (5-9) has been perhaps the league's biggest disappointment.

But after surrendering 108.5 points and 47.1 percent shooting over their first 11 games, Houston is yielding 102.0 points and 41.5 percent shooting since McHale was let go. New York shot 42.5 percent overall Saturday, but hit 12 of 25 3s in a 107-102 win that dropped the Rockets to 1-2 under interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

Beverley's return could give the Rockets more help defensively after he missed five straight games with an ankle injury after sitting out two of the previous four with a concussion.

"I'm just happy to be back out there," said Beverley, who is averaging 4.7 points and shooting just 34.2 percent in seven games. "I know we're going through a tough time right now. We got some good teams coming up. The way we're playing, we can't overlook anyone right now. It's up to us to stay locked in."

Beverley isn't about to crack Bickerstaff's starting five just yet.

"We're going to stick with our same starting lineup," Bickerstaff said. "Obviously, Patrick coming back with the injury, minutes will have to be monitored but we've got enough bodies. All of them have enough skill to help."

There will likely be one change to the lineup - the return of Dwight Howard. The center, who was hampered by knee injuries last season, rested Saturday, the third such instance in games involved in back-to-back scheduling. It's also the second straight time the Rockets have lost without him.

Howard has only attempted 20 shots in his last four games. He made 4 of 5 Friday at Memphis, totaling 12 points and pulling down 15 boards in a 96-84 loss.

"We're going to try to get our best players on the floor no matter their size or their position," Bickerstaff said.

James Harden is still that for the Rockets despite his shooting struggles, but he hasn't had much success against the Grizzlies of late. He's averaging 17.9 points in his last seven against Memphis after putting up 22 with six turnovers Friday.

Memphis has reversed a 1-5 stretch by going 5-1 after beating Dallas 110-96 on Tuesday with seven players scoring in double figures.

"We have so many weapons. We have to utilize them any way we can," said forward Jeff Green, who had 19 points "Sharing the ball and getting everybody involved is how you get it done."

The Grizzlies are averaging 104.2 points over the last six games with five players scoring at least 13.7. Mike Conley leads the way with 19.3 while hitting 48.8 percent from the floor - 13 of 26 from long range. The guard connected on 10 of 17 field goals while scoring a season-high 26 points against the Rockets last week.

That was also the first of three straight games without forward Zach Randolph (knee), who is averaging 14.5 points and 8.7 rebounds. He's considered day to day, but Matt Barnes could get a second straight start if he's not ready.

Barnes scored 14 points against the Mavericks and has totaled 31 in the last two meetings with Houston.