Rockets to replace Anderson with Gordon in Game 5 starting lineup

The Houston Rockets are rejiggering their rotation ahead of Game 5 of their second-round series against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.

Head coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters that shooting guard Eric Gordon will be plucked from his sixth-man role and placed in the starting lineup, bumping big man Ryan Anderson to the bench, according to Mark Berman of Fox 26.

With backup center Nene done for the playoffs due to a thigh injury, D'Antoni has had to improvise a bit to keep his lineups balanced. Anderson has primarily been deployed as a power forward, but with no reliable options left behind Clint Capela, Anderson will serve as the Rockets' nominal backup five.

Meanwhile, the move will bump Trevor Ariza up to power forward in a smaller starting lineup.